Broke Spoke!
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central Louisiana
Posts: 3,055
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
3 Posts
Broke Spoke!
On my first ride over the mountain this year, I made it up the mountain (with surprising ease) and started down the other side. I hit one of the level spots on the way down and then heard some sort of mechanical noise. I thought the chain had slipped, so I continued down the mountain. Later I looked down and noticed the rear wheel wobbling. I pulled over to inspect and found the broken spoke. It snapped in the area of the small button where the spoke goes through the rear hub. I left it like it was and gently rode the 29 miles back to the truck.
The owner (one-man shop) of my LBS got me in, installed the new spoke, and trued the wheel late on a Saturday afternoon. Kudos to my LBS guy!! The wheels are Alexrims B500s, and they have given me excellent service. In 4,200 miles, they have not even needed to be trued.
So now a few questions.
1. How common is a broken spoke?
2. Will they begin to break with some regularity? Hopefully, I'll be riding the mountain several times, and I don't want a surprise on a rapid descent.
3. Is it time for new wheels?
The owner (one-man shop) of my LBS got me in, installed the new spoke, and trued the wheel late on a Saturday afternoon. Kudos to my LBS guy!! The wheels are Alexrims B500s, and they have given me excellent service. In 4,200 miles, they have not even needed to be trued.
So now a few questions.
1. How common is a broken spoke?
2. Will they begin to break with some regularity? Hopefully, I'll be riding the mountain several times, and I don't want a surprise on a rapid descent.
3. Is it time for new wheels?
Last edited by doctor j; 05-28-08 at 07:44 PM.
#2
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,328
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3898 Post(s)
Liked 4,832 Times
in
2,229 Posts
I have heard that the rule of thumb is 3rd broken spoke means a wheel rebuild.
As to the issue of "how common" and "with regularity?" the answer has too many variables. Such as: how many spokes, your weight, the terrain you ride, how hard you ride, etc.
I have several sets of 32 hole Mavic Open Pros that have many thousands of miles with no truing required and never a broken spoke. My Campy Protons have fewer spokes and fewer miles, but still no problems. I'm 6'1" about 210# and consider myself to be somewhat easy on equipment.
As to the issue of "how common" and "with regularity?" the answer has too many variables. Such as: how many spokes, your weight, the terrain you ride, how hard you ride, etc.
I have several sets of 32 hole Mavic Open Pros that have many thousands of miles with no truing required and never a broken spoke. My Campy Protons have fewer spokes and fewer miles, but still no problems. I'm 6'1" about 210# and consider myself to be somewhat easy on equipment.
#3
Ride Daddy Ride
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Villa Incognito
Posts: 2,648
Bikes: 1983 Trek 720; 1983 Trek 620; 1989 Gi Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra; LeMond Victoire; Bike Friday Pocket Rocket Pro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
1) A lot of variables here. Some include: weight of the rider, number of spokes on your wheels, skill of the wheel builder, quality of the spokes, hub and rims. Years ago, I had a wheel completely taco with less than 100 miles on it as I was pulling out of my driveway going about four mph. The bikeshop claimed full responsibility for a bad build job and replaced the wheel at no charge.
2) Maybe.
3) If I had any doubts whatsoever, I would bring my wheels to a good wheel builder (a decent LBS should have one or know of one) and consult. You might possibly want to rebuild your wheels with new spokes, using your current hubs. Or maybe splurge and get new wheels. My feeling is that a good set of wheels is just about the best investment you can make on your bike.
2) Maybe.
3) If I had any doubts whatsoever, I would bring my wheels to a good wheel builder (a decent LBS should have one or know of one) and consult. You might possibly want to rebuild your wheels with new spokes, using your current hubs. Or maybe splurge and get new wheels. My feeling is that a good set of wheels is just about the best investment you can make on your bike.
__________________
"Light it up, Popo." --Levi Leipheimer
"Light it up, Popo." --Levi Leipheimer
#4
just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 173 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times
in
22 Posts
Spokes break at the bend near the hub when they are loose and bend enough to weaken the spoke. If your LBS guy tensioned the wheel, you'll probably not have more problems. Really depends on why they got loose.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central Louisiana
Posts: 3,055
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 41 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
3 Posts
Thanks for the replies, all. The wheels have 32 spokes. I am 6'2" and 165 lbs (thanks to the bike). I try to stay on good pavement, avoid bumps etc. I suppose I fall into the "easy rider" category compared to some of my hammering 50+ brothers and sisters. I am prone, however, to hammer down the mountain when I get the chance.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
I've done tech support for some big rides like MS 150. After flat tires, broken spokes are by far the most common mechanical problem.
If all that your LBS did was to replace the broken spoke and retrue the wheel, he returned it to the condition it was in previously. Unfortunately, what it was previously was a wheel that's about to break a spoke. I'm a big believer in checking every spoke for adequate and even tension whenever I replace a broken spoke.
If all that your LBS did was to replace the broken spoke and retrue the wheel, he returned it to the condition it was in previously. Unfortunately, what it was previously was a wheel that's about to break a spoke. I'm a big believer in checking every spoke for adequate and even tension whenever I replace a broken spoke.
#7
Fred E Fenders
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Again! Philippines & S. California
Posts: 1,453
Bikes: Jamis Aurora Elite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I've done tech support for some big rides like MS 150. After flat tires, broken spokes are by far the most common mechanical problem.
If all that your LBS did was to replace the broken spoke and retrue the wheel, he returned it to the condition it was in previously. Unfortunately, what it was previously was a wheel that's about to break a spoke. I'm a big believer in checking every spoke for adequate and even tension whenever I replace a broken spoke.
If all that your LBS did was to replace the broken spoke and retrue the wheel, he returned it to the condition it was in previously. Unfortunately, what it was previously was a wheel that's about to break a spoke. I'm a big believer in checking every spoke for adequate and even tension whenever I replace a broken spoke.
__________________
F Thomas
"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving."
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
F Thomas
"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving."
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
#8
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,796
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1392 Post(s)
Liked 1,324 Times
in
836 Posts
This entire thread is another great argument in favor of good ol' 32- or 36-spoke wheels, on which one can limp home with a broken spoke. I used to break spokes occasionally in the 1970s, but have not done so in several years. I think insisting on DT butted spokes and knowing how to tension them properly has helped.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#9
DoubleTrouble
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Vacaville, CA
Posts: 599
Bikes: 06 Co-Motion Tandem, Fuji Team Pro mine,-Hers, Specialized Dolce
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
We broke many spokes on our bike. It was, however, a tandem bike and the rear wheel has a lot of torque, weight and power compared to a single bike. I would caution that since you rode quite a few miles after the spoke broke it may have weakened some of the other spokes. Keep your eye on it for awhile and if there are no more problems you are probably okay.
#10
Time for a change.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Posts: 19,913
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
Forgotten what bike you are riding but if it is Alex rims- these must be the stock wheel supplied with the bike. They are Machine built and the Build is not that good so surprised you got that milage out of them before the first problem.
What I normally do with a stock wheel is replace it with a hand built one. The stock wheels I do about 100 miles on them Get the wheel builder to tension and true and then use them as a winter/rough weather wheel. (Or they sit on the wall till someone needs a new wheel and they get one cheap).
Hand built Training wheels need not be that expensive- but it is the hand built bit that works. I bought Boreas with a pair of Ultegras- that my wheel builder had tweaked and they are good. The TCR I bought with Mavic Aksiums (Replaced the stock wheels from new) and used them once- and they are up on the wall now. Should get my wheel builder to sort them soon.
Broken spokes are not that conmmon- but once one breaks for no reason- Others will follow. I now have 3,000 miles on the Ultegras and they are due for a retension and re-true but won't get that done till I get the hand built wheels back from trueing.( Had the second true up by me last week so time for the builder to work his magic again.)
And I would suggest finding a wheelbuilder- Your LBS may have one- and see what he can build and at what price. Stock training wheels are something like 36 spokes with Mavic rims and Ultegra hubs. I went cheap and got 105 hubs and no problems.
What I normally do with a stock wheel is replace it with a hand built one. The stock wheels I do about 100 miles on them Get the wheel builder to tension and true and then use them as a winter/rough weather wheel. (Or they sit on the wall till someone needs a new wheel and they get one cheap).
Hand built Training wheels need not be that expensive- but it is the hand built bit that works. I bought Boreas with a pair of Ultegras- that my wheel builder had tweaked and they are good. The TCR I bought with Mavic Aksiums (Replaced the stock wheels from new) and used them once- and they are up on the wall now. Should get my wheel builder to sort them soon.
Broken spokes are not that conmmon- but once one breaks for no reason- Others will follow. I now have 3,000 miles on the Ultegras and they are due for a retension and re-true but won't get that done till I get the hand built wheels back from trueing.( Had the second true up by me last week so time for the builder to work his magic again.)
And I would suggest finding a wheelbuilder- Your LBS may have one- and see what he can build and at what price. Stock training wheels are something like 36 spokes with Mavic rims and Ultegra hubs. I went cheap and got 105 hubs and no problems.
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 11,016
Bikes: Custom Zona c/f tandem + Scott Plasma single
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 77 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times
in
11 Posts
In 18,000 miles broke a niple (not spoke) on 32H front wheel of our tandem.
Had one front wheel on our Co-Motion tandem go 57,000 miles without any broken spokes/issues, just a few minor truings.
Back wheels on a tandem get a bit more torque with 2 people cranking but have had them last up to 25,000 miles and then rim failed, not the spokes.
Key is to get a good wheelbuilder to build up a set of quality wheels.
Had one front wheel on our Co-Motion tandem go 57,000 miles without any broken spokes/issues, just a few minor truings.
Back wheels on a tandem get a bit more torque with 2 people cranking but have had them last up to 25,000 miles and then rim failed, not the spokes.
Key is to get a good wheelbuilder to build up a set of quality wheels.
#12
Erect member since 1953
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Posts: 7,000
Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times
in
21 Posts
I've broken two spokes on my commuter bike, but I've never busted one on my road bikes, whih I started riding in 75.
Go figure.
But I love the advice: "Get a good wheel builder." Like you can tell. Like any one would say "I suck at this, but buy my wheel anyway."
Go figure.
But I love the advice: "Get a good wheel builder." Like you can tell. Like any one would say "I suck at this, but buy my wheel anyway."