I think of those as grommets. Not sure how that happened unless there was sufficient nipple movement to wear through that as it passed through the rim. I’d probably keep riding it but would also keep my eyes open for a replacement thinking that the nipple may wear through the rim next.
xsdgdsx on
Is that spoke still tensioned? If not (especially since you mention being heavier), I would not ride it until taking it to a wheel builder.
A bicycle wheel works by balancing the tension in the spokes with the stiffness of the rim. If either of those is gone, the other will follow, and then at some point the wheel will change shape into a potato chip.
jzwinck on
Replace the wheel.
TheGrandHobo on
The term seems to be eyelet. They are non-structural, help a little with load distribution and electrolytic corrosion to some degree, according to Sheldon: https://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html
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I think of those as grommets. Not sure how that happened unless there was sufficient nipple movement to wear through that as it passed through the rim. I’d probably keep riding it but would also keep my eyes open for a replacement thinking that the nipple may wear through the rim next.
Is that spoke still tensioned? If not (especially since you mention being heavier), I would not ride it until taking it to a wheel builder.
A bicycle wheel works by balancing the tension in the spokes with the stiffness of the rim. If either of those is gone, the other will follow, and then at some point the wheel will change shape into a potato chip.
Replace the wheel.
The term seems to be eyelet. They are non-structural, help a little with load distribution and electrolytic corrosion to some degree, according to Sheldon: https://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html
Imo safe to ride, as only the outer part has fallen off. The spoke tension still being fine confirms that. Related discussion with the same conclusion: https://www.roadbikereview.com/threads/rim-spoke-eyelet-broke-off.373633/
It’s probably going to get worse eventually.
If you are about to head out across the continent, get it taken care of.
If it’s your commute bike, make a trueness and tension check part of your monthly inspection.