Broken Spokes

[joggingbob]

For the second time in approx 6 months, (circa 75 miles per week), I have a broken spoke on the rear wheel, (drive side). The bike is a Trek MTB used mainly for commuting and I am not a particularly heavy rider. I do not jump / bump the kerbs often. So my question is ... bad luck, average for the mileage or something possibly wrong with the wheel, (or rider!). Comments please.

 

[accountantpete]

Might be the hub or a naff batch of spokes. If it's the hub the spokes usually go at the point where they connect to the hub and you should see evidence of excessive wear on the other spokes. The usual solution is a to check the hub for any sharp edges to the holes that would cause this wear and a decent set of double butted spokes.

 

[Bigtwin]

rear drive is where they go. How old is the wheel? It's usually a sign of it being shagged, and they all start to go.

 

[joggingbob]

Thanks ap, as such I shouldn't expect broken spokes? When I had the first spoke repaired a few months back and the wheel trued the cycle mechanic did not mention anything ref the rest of the wheel. I will be interested in the (different) mechnanic says anything this afternoon when I collect the wheel. Being a noob in this area, how would I detect evidence of excessive wear?

 

[joggingbob]

Bigtwin, the bike is approximately just under 2 years old.

 

[Sittingduck]

When 1 spoke breaks, it is very often followed by another. I had a similar thing on my hybrid a while back and got the rear wheel swapped out under warranty with an identical wheel (crummy Alex rims). Lo and behold, after just 2 weeks *ping* and a busted spoke to the replacement wheel!

Took it down to the LBS and got a handbuilt Mavic A319 fitted. No problems since

SD

 

[joggingbob]

Ok, sounds like it could be a wear thing ! I will ask the mechanic when I collect this afternoon on their opinion on the wheel and if another pings in the near future consider investing in a new wheel. I just thought it would last longer than 2 years, (disk brakes so rim should not wear), given it was a decent brand bike. Thanks all.

 

[Sittingduck]

If it's a decent wheel I guess it should last. I should point out that the wheel I had to replace was low spec and I'm also a pie-munching heffer!

 

[joggingbob]

Well I am still learning , (& always will be). I will look up how to check a wheel and need to learn how to check tension / tighten spokes. Not sure I will ever get to a stage of trueing wheels though. Not found a great LBS yet but not had much of a need so far which is good. I have used the chain stores so far. In fairness I don't think I spotted the first broken spoke until some time after which would mean that it placed extra tension on the other spokes so that could be part of the cause.

 

[Bigtwin]

Wheels are often the cheapest bit of the bike, and the spokes of those.

At £10 a pop or whatever, it's usually a good idea to call it a day after 2 - good money after bad, and nearly 1/2 way to a perfectly decent built wheel.

 

[joggingbob]

Fair point Bigtwin. If another goes no doubt I will be posting a "which wheel to buy question" :-)

 

[Landslide]

There are generally speaking two grades of (conventional) spoke - stainless, and rustless. Stainless steel spokes will (with a modicum of cleaning etc.) last for ages.

Rustless spokes corrode much faster, leading to breakage. I suspect this is the situation you find yourself in. As has been noted, once one goes, others often follow suit.

Check with your LBS for an opinion. It may be worth getting the wheel rebuilt with new spokes, or buying a new wheel. On the upside, 2 years @ 75 miles per week means you've covered nearly 8,000 miles!

 

[PpPete]

Well I am still learning , (& always will be). I will look up how to check a wheel and need to learn how to check tension / tighten spokes. Not sure I will ever get to a stage of trueing wheels though. .

Was like you... shied away from trueing wheels for years. Then couldn't avoid it any more. Got it completely wrong the first time, made it far worse by turning nipples the wrong way. Got the hang of it in the end. Now I even build my own wheels! Seems easier to do that than trying to take a wobble out of an existing wheel.

 

[accountantpete]

Thanks ap, as such I shouldn't expect broken spokes? When I had the first spoke repaired a few months back and the wheel trued the cycle mechanic did not mention anything ref the rest of the wheel. I will be interested in the (different) mechnanic says anything this afternoon when I collect the wheel. Being a noob in this area, how would I detect evidence of excessive wear?

The only way is to take a spoke off and see if the hub is wearing away a groove in it. Obviously if the spoke has snapped a bit higher up then this is not the case.

Double butted spokes are thicker at the ends as this is where the main strain on them occurs - so if yours are breaking an inch or so up then the quality of the spoke is the cause.

 

[joggingbob]

Landslide - thanks, the spokes are stainless steel, (assumption based on the spec stating spokes as 'ss'). The cycle store who replaced the 2nd one yesterday said that there was nothing out of the ordinary and no additional advice, (it was not the mechanic I spoke to who had already left). Hadn't thought of the overall mileage so shouldn't be too hard on the bike.
porkeypete - reassuring, will no doubt give it a go at some point, (perhaps start on my son's old bike).
accountantpete - thanks, will try and remember to look if / when the next spoke breaks. They have broken very close to the hub. I don't think I have double-butted spokes based on the description.

Thank you for all the replies, helpful as ever.