Snap! Guess my rear axle is gone...

[annirak]

I was quoted £37 parts and labour to replace the axle or £55 for a new wheel. I never liked the rims on that bike, so I went for the new wheel.

 

[Leaway2]

I bought a £6 Weldtite axle. The cones looked OK. As @adamhearn said, the skewer held it all together and I didn't know it had snapped until I took the wheel off.

 

[Drago]

I've broken 2 over the years. Provided yo didn't ride round like it for ages then the frame should be fine. New axle and bearings and you're all good.

 

[BSRU]

I broke three in one year before seeing the light and switching to freehubs.

 

[annirak]

If I had realised that freehubs were an option for a 7-speed cassette, I would have asked for that. I didn't think that was an option, so I let them just replace the wheel. If I break this axle, I will definitely be switching to a freehub.

 

[annirak]

Bike picked up with new wheel. A ZAC 2000 rim, with a Quando hub. Seems to be rolling a lot better. Rim is deeper section, a little more aero, not that it matters on the rear wheel of a bike with a rack & panniers!

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I remember breaking the odd axle back when 5 / 6 speed freewheels roamed the earth. One of the advantages of a freehub is that the axle is supported at the ends, rather than at one end and near the middle.
I'd definitely go down the freehub, spacer and 7 speed cassette route.

I remember breaking a few axles when 6 speed was cutting edge technology, I rode regularly with a touring club and our Sunday rides usually included some rough stuff.

 

[shadow master]

Bike picked up with new wheel. A ZAC 2000 rim, with a Quando hub. Seems to be rolling a lot better. Rim is deeper section, a little more aero, not that it matters on the rear wheel of a bike with a rack & panniers!

£55 for a quando freewheel hub with zac rim surely not.....must be London prices £35 here and £12 for axle fitted!

 

[Globalti]

40 years ago I broke a steel axle while off-reading my 10 speed racer and yes, it snapped exactly where the threads for the cone started.