Hi folks! I've been riding a lot recently and noticed my spokes on the rear wheel have snapped, causing the wheel to warp and rub against the brake pads.
This is my dad's old Trek mountain bike from the 90's, and as far as I know the wheels have never been replaced. Is there anything I can do to fix this or should I just go buy a new wheel?
If I need to replace it, how hard would it be to swap myself? I don't know if I should pay the folks at the shop to swap it for me.
Also, how safe would it be to ride? It's only a 15 minute ride downhill to the bike shop but I don't want the wheel to fully break while I'm riding near a freeway.
Thanks!!
by joyous_frog
10 Comments
Yes. If you have the tools you can do it. Or get it done at the bike shop.
It can be replaced but it does take a bit of work and research.
-you need the right spoke length and spoke, there are calculators online
-you need a wheel truing stand or YouTube how to use your bike frame as one
-you need a spoke wrench
-you need a dishing tool
-you need a spoke tension meter
-lots of time to research online and patience
Wheel repair/building is a fantastic skill and I find it very therapeutic but it does take a little bit of effort.
Just replace it, at my local shop it’s like 4 bucks a spoke or something even smaller I dunno, you can buy them for like 50 cents each online
Very common. It may be beyond your skills for now if you’re not familiar with truing wheels. I saw another reply here that said you need a truing stand, dishing tool, and a bunch of stuff. I have replaced 3 broken spokes so far this year without a re-break on either wheel. I have gone 3,500 miles so far this year between the wheels. On the non drive side I got away with not needing to take the wheel off the bike. I had to remove the wheel and cassette for another one, but trued and rensioned the wheel on the bike. I’ve had to replace spokes on long distance bike rides on the side of the road before.
With all the right tools you will do a better job, but if you know what you’re doing you can get very good results with only a spoke wrench and maybe a cassette removal tool / chain whip.
I would get a new wheel. All the spokes are old and fatigued. Eventually most will break one by one. If you get the spoke length and a free wheel tool then you can do it yourself. You will have to learn to true the wheel as well.
Take the time to walk it to the shop if you’re going to have a shop fix it. No matter how short the ride, riding with broken spokes puts greater strain on other spokes, which can lead to a cascading effect of breaking more spokes, or worse, bending the rim.
You can likely fix it yourself if you have the time and patience to read up on how to do it and how to identify the right parts. But, you should also read up on how to assess the wheel in the first place, to make sure the rim isn’t already compromised. If you don’t feel confident in any of that, let a shop guide you. I assure you most shops really want to help, and they aren’t excessively profiting on your misfortune.
Looks like a few spokes are broken. That’s not a particularly complex nor expensive repair. Call LBS? Old wheels cost peanuts – you can look for a replacement on Marketplace. You can also DIY spoke replacement, there are many tutorials online. You will need a spoke wrench and tools to remove the cassette (to replace the drive side broken spoke). A truing stand and tension meter would make things easier, but there are workarounds.
How far was the wheel ridden with broke spokes? This can ruin other spokes.
Yup you can swap out spokes.
it’s not on the sprocket side which makes it easier.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVkutWBkWd8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVkutWBkWd8)
then here’s one on wheel trueing if you need it
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmucpbA7jkk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmucpbA7jkk)
I would walk the bike. Three broken spokes is pushing it.
I would remove the wheel and turn the axle by hand to test how smooth it is. If it’s really rough, the hub may be toast. In that case, replace the whole wheel rather than the broken spokes.
Likewise, check the rim for dents, cracks and flat spots. No use putting new spokes in a damaged rim.
You’ll likely need tools you don’t have to remove the cogs and put them on a new wheel. So factor in the cost of those tools when comparing against what a shop would charge.
You’ve got at least 3 broken spokes on wheels that are 30+ years old and have probably not really been maintained.
Can you get the spokes replaced? Absolutely.
Should you get the spokes replaced? Probably not, I would expect another spoke to break in the short term even if you do get all the broken ones replaced.