rear Shimano WH-RS100 drive side spoke broke, causes?

[bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb]

Hi,

A spoke broke on my Shimano WH-RS100 rear wheel, drive side, about two inches from hub. Already had a new wheel thankfully, so have just swapped it over, but am concerned maybe there's a more fundamental problem which caused it thus I'm in danger of buggering the new one? Is there anything I could check with a view to saving it happening again to this brand new wheel? There's nothing obvious at all, all seems fine. These wheels are often described as bombproof, so am just concerned there's something more fundamentally wrong. Or is it just something that happens after a while? I can't remember how old this wheel is, but it's certainly not hardly used.

Separately, how fixable is that wheel? It became misshapen, obviously I guess, once the spoke broke. Is that something I could do (never fixed wheels/spokes) or a shop could do? Worth it do you think?

Thanks.

 

[Dogtrousers]

A good bike shop can replace your broken spoke and re-true the wheel. Yes it's certainly worth it.

It's a skill that you could learn yourself - not something I've ever learned myself but plenty of people on here build and maintain wheels.

As to why ... I don't know.

 

[fossyant]

It happens, more so with factory wheels. As for replacement, it depends on how handy you are with wheel truing, and if it's using any 'funny' spokes (i.e. non-standard spokes). You'll also need to work out how long the spoke needs to be, and you may find the minimum order is a pack of 6. Bike shop will also true the wheel up for you.

 

[bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb]

ok, thanks.

 

[Big John]

Wheel building and replacing broken spokes is a dark art only practiced by magicians and witches. However, the ancient secrets can be learnt by perusing the mythical runes of YouTube. When the power of wheel building is engrained in your soul only then will you be able to fix your own wheels thus removing the need for the coven of witches at your LBS. It really isn't difficult and can actually be fun to do. To replace a spoke doesn't necessarily involve buying all the kit under the sun, a spoke key however is essential. As the broken spoke is on the drive side you'll need to be able to remove the cassette in order to insert the new spoke in the hub. If you haven't got those tools then maybe the LBS may be your best option after all.

Why did it break? Some questions are best avoided unless you want this thread to grow exponentially. That can of worms is best left unopened 😉

 

[Ming the Merciless]

A new wheel is a bit extreme. You just needed a spoke key and new spoke, assuming you already have the tools to remove the cassette.

Some light reading for you on why spokes break.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/why-do-my-spokes-keep-breaking-bike-wheel-science.244392/

 

[Dogtrousers]

A new wheel is a bit extreme. You just needed a spoke key and new spoke, assuming you already have the tools to remove the cassette.

OP did say they already had a new wheel. Not a case of going and buying one because the spoke broke,

 

[Dogtrousers]

@bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb you might want to check out this short ( ) thread on the reasons why spokes break.
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/why-do-my-spokes-keep-breaking-bike-wheel-science.244392/

 

[Shearwater Missile]

I have that wheelset on my winter bike and they are pretty robust wheels but of course spokes do break. I would replace the spoke myself and learn how to true the wheel, bearing in mind that to start with just get that new spoke tightened (adjusted) first before attempting any other truing.
I had a cheap wheelset where one spoke broke and then another and then another in the space of a week. As the wheel was under guarantee the bike shop repaired it. Those spokes broke all in the same place, at the right angle where they went into the hub. My guess is that the wheel was not trued properly, ie more tension was applied on some spokes more than others. Once those three spokes were replaced it was never any problem. Good luck.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

OP did say they already had a new wheel. Not a case of going and buying one because the spoke broke,

Indeed, which is a bit extreme

 

[Dogtrousers]

Indeed, which is a bit extreme

What's extreme? Owning a wheel?

 

[Ming the Merciless]

What's extreme? Owning a wheel?

Not fixing a simple thing such as a broken spoke for pennies. What happens when chain gets worn out, a new bike?

 

[Dogtrousers]

Not fixing a simple thing such as a broken spoke for pennies.

Well the OP is fixing it. By asking for advice on here. Nothing extreme about that.

 

[PatrickPending]

personally as mentioned earlier I found it always happened with factory built wheels. About 20 years any new wheel I got I had hand built and (touch wood) I've not had a broken spoke since.....

 

[fossyant]

My commuter is running on handbuilt wheels by me ! Changed one rear rim so far, and the front will need doing after this coming winter. Changing a rim is reasonably straight forward, but when building from scratch, it's important to get the lacing correct (especially near the spoke hole. I used a you tube video to get that bit correct. I find it therapeutic building wheels. Can change a rim and get it 'de-stressed' in a couple of hours now.

I do have a lot of factory built wheels in the stable, and am yet to snap a spoke. Three of the wheelsets have bladed spokes, some of which are j bend, some straight pull. This is where it get's tricky to replace spokes. My best bike (vintage) has handbuilt wheels from my local bike shop.