New Spoke

[HLaB]

A spoke in my front wheel snapped yesterday, should I be a tightwad and replace it and re-true or should I take it to a shop to do that? I know roughly what to do but is there a more important element such as spoke tension (I don't have a gauge) which means its best left to the expert.

 

[BigTone0777]

For the price of a spoke it's definately worth a go and if it doesn't work out then take it to an LBS to true. It's always a good skill to learn and if you tension a tiny bit at a time and check what's happening you should be fine.

 

[e-rider]

This is an easy job, but from the informaion in your post, it's clear you don't know what to do. You ould give it a try but will probably make it worse! We all have to learn sometime though!

 

[HLaB]

This is an easy job, but from the informaion in your post, it's clear you don't know what to do. You ould give it a try but will probably make it worse! We all have to learn sometime though!

Yeah I've only tweaked wheels a bit off true back into line, I've never ventured into wheel building and spoke tension but as you say you've got to start somewhere I'll probably pop by a lbs on the way home and get a spoke and give it a go and if I'm not happy with the results take it back to them to true properly :-)

 

[Telemark]

Getting a spoke replaced is very cheap at the LBS, sorry I can't remember how much but I was surprised it wasn't more. I've watched experts do the trueing/tensioning by sound (like plucking the strings of a musical instrument ) ... not a skill I have practised. I know I should, as it may be necessary in an emergency when miles from anywhere on tour

You are much more experienced with bike maintenance than I am, so tell me to shut up if you have done the following already .

DId you check the rest of the wheel carefully, especially the rim near the spoke that broke? Sometimes a broken spoke can be a sign of bigger trouble ahead ... (not from personal experience, but my cousin found several hairline cracks in the wheel of a borrowed bike with a "loose spoke" problem) It doesn't bear thinking what could have happened if he hadn't spotted it ...

T

 

[HLaB]

Getting a spoke replaced is very cheap at the LBS, sorry I can't remember how much but I was surprised it wasn't more. I've watched experts do the trueing/tensioning by sound (like plucking the strings of a musical instrument ) ... not a skill I have practised. I know I should, as it may be necessary in an emergency when miles from anywhere on tour

You are much more experienced with bike maintenance than I am, so tell me to shut up if you have done the following already .

DId you check the rest of the wheel carefully, especially the rim near the spoke that broke? Sometimes a broken spoke can be a sign of bigger trouble ahead ... (not from personal experience, but my cousin found several hairline cracks in the wheel of a borrowed bike with a "loose spoke" problem) It doesn't bear thinking what could have happened if he hadn't spotted it ...

T

I've only snapped one before and took it to the place on Marchmont Rd, it was only £8 iirc; unfortunately Marchmont Rd is too convenient at the moment. I think I'll buy a spoke and have a go but if I'm not happy take it to the shop to finish.

Eek, I'll remember to check over the wheel afterwards.

 

[Dayvo]

If you're unsure about the right tension of the new spoke, 'pluck' some of the others (hopefully they'll all be the same) and tune yours accordingly, but as long as it's firm and the wheel is true, that's the most important thing, as there could be a variation in plucking tones for one reason or another.

 

[HLaB]

Thanks folks, the lbs eventually got a replacement spoke yesterday, I fitted it last night and trued the wheel this morning. It was really just a case of tightening the new spoke and some minor tweaks to get it perfect :-)

 

[BigTone0777]

Well done!