drewfio

So I picked up a free bike off craigslist hoping to fix it up for a friend. The frame is in good shape, as are many parts, but the spokes look quite rusty, and I'm not sure the wheels are rideable. Here are a few pics. What do you all think?

Iride01 

Certainly not ideal. But I wouldn't worry or fear for your life. Replacing them all is probably more than the wheel is worth.

Couple spokes look newer. Previous owner probably replacing them as they broke. Unless you got it from a bike flipper, but I guess a flipper wouldn't have given it to you free. Unless it was enticement for something else you bought.

ThermionicScott 

How bike-savvy is your friend? Would he (or she) know how to keep their bike rolling if another spoke broke on a commute?

I have a few wheels with rusty galvanized spokes like yours. When one of them was in frequent all-year service, I tried smearing wax (I think it was Carmex) up and down the spokes to protect them. Not sure if it helped or not...

At a minimum, I would oil all of the nipples, make sure they turn freely, and true up the wheels, including a Jobst Brandt-style stress-relief of the spokes. If any spokes are about to break, you want to find them now.

drewfio

I would not say very savvy at all. Her level of bike maintenance is probably just keeping it cleaned/lubed and able to fix flats. If a spoke breaks on a commute, I don't think I even know what to do besides just ride it the rest of the way there if possible without the spoke, or don't continue riding it if it is not possible (and take it on the train or a car or something). I've only ever broken a spoke a couple times, and wasn't far from home both times, so just walked it. What else would you do?

Also, my wheel maintenance skills are in the realm of repacking/re-greasing hubs, minor wheel truing, stuff like that. Not full wheel building/rebuilding. I'll have to look up the stress-relief technique you mentioned. Is it fairly straightforward or a more advanced skill level?

Russ Roth

If the wheel won't move in the frame after breaking spokes then you can whack that spot on the pavement effectively bending the wheel into shape. Not ideal unless you're enough miles from home that walking will really suck since you also have to walk with the bike partly lifted.
Wheels like these are always a rough decision, often the bikes they're on are used infrequently enough that they're not really an issue and tend towards being a boardwalk bike that only goes a few miles at a time. If trying to make a regular rider and fitness bike where distances will be further I'd just replace the wheels especially if there are several new spokes indicating the wheel has started failing. Shop repair of a wheel is usually about 30-40.00 with rear wheels on the higher side, basic replacement rear wheel with stainless spokes is usually around 75-80 if you can do the work yourself and just buy a wheel. Make sure the wheel is true before you leave the shop with it.

ThermionicScott 

In that case, I think she'd probably be best off with a new set of wheels. For a higher price, you're starting off with all-new components. Are there any trusted wheelbuilders at your bike store, or nearby who'd be able to give the wheels a once-over to make sure they are built to adequate and even tension?

I feel comfortable riding on old crap because I know how to rebuild it.


P.S. Find a pdf copy of Jobst Brandt's "The Bicycle Wheel" book and give it a read. Since Jobst is dead and the book is now out of print, you don't have to feel too guilty about downloading it for free. Sheldon Brown's wheelbuilding page is also great. Knowledge is power!

WizardOfBoz

I have an old Schwinn Superior with spokes like that. I replaced the spokes. But I worked in a bike shop for years and am comfortable twirling a wrench (even a spoke wrench).

If you don't want to spend the money, I agree with others: oil nipples, true wheel, relieve stress on spokes. Ride bike near home for the first few rides.

SpedFast

I had a bike with wheels like those that was given to me (Neighbor left it chained to a mutual fence when they moved). I removed all the spokes, breaking a couple in the process, measured them for future reference, sanded the ones that were still threadable, painted same, then replaced them on the rim and trued it plus added a couple of new spokes. Then I ordered new spokes from China hoping they would arrive before I had more spokes break. They did and I repeated the process. Good luck,