Broken spoke

[benb]

I was cleaning the bike after a muddy ride this weekend, and saw that the rear wheel had a pronounced but small wobble.

Upon further investigation, I discovered a broken spoke.

1) is it ok to ride? If so,
2) do I leave the broken spoke flapping or snip it off?
3) do I need a new wheel, or can the spoke be repaired?

Thanks, hive-mind

 

[Moodyman]

1) is it ok to ride? If you must. But replace spoke as soon as. If you keep riding, the surrounding spokes will weaken and wheel may die. 36 spoked wheels can get away with 1 broken spoke for a while, 32 spoked ones not so easily.
2) do I leave the broken spoke flapping or snip it off? - take it off. It could easily jam into the chain and destroy your wheel and lead to serious injury to you
3) do I need a new wheel, or can the spoke be repaired? - Spoke can be replaced, but do as soon as. Shop should charge £10 ish if you can't do it yourself

 

[Kestevan]

1 - Probably. If its a 32 spoke wheel, or you're not too heavy then it will probably be OK to ride if you have to.
2 - Twist the broken spoke round the next one to it, this will stop it flapping about, and also stop the nipple retreating back into the rim.
3 - You should be able to get a new spoke from your LBS. You'll need to know the length, measure from the angle to the end of the thread. If its a rear spoke, and on the drive side (same side as the casette), then you'll need to remove the cassette which requires a removal tool and chain whip.... Any doubts take the wheel to your LBS, should only take 10 mins and cost a few pounds.

 

[benb]

Nice one, thanks.

I'll ride it tomorrow, and take it down my lbs soon as. In fact, I'll see if there's one near work and I can go at lunchtime.

Cheers.

 

[benb]

I made it in without a catastrophic wheel failure, but another spoke pinged off on the way. Hopefully the wheel is ok - I'll find out at lunchtime.