Spoke come off!

[Boothy]

agghhhh just got to work and seen that one of my rear spokes has come detached in the centre of the wheel and is broadly in position but just hanging free. I only had a service and truing 2 weeks ago.

I'm at work now. Any suggestions as to whether there's anything I can do to make it rideable home, or whether it will be ok to ride home as it is. I guess it got me here ok, though I don't know when it became detached!

 

[I like Skol]

Carry on as you are if the wheel isn't rubbing anywhere (tyre on frame or rim on brakes). It will be fine to limp home on and then get the spoke replaced. I guess this is a drive side spoke (same side as the gears). Don't be surprised if others also fail in the coming weeks and months.

 

[HLaB]

How far is it? What Terrain is it? How much load is on it?

If the wheel isn't baddly out of true and its not far, fairly smooth I'd ride it but Im not the greatest of loads ;-)

 

[PpPete]

IMO the key thing is not how smooth the roads are or how much you weigh - but how many spokes there were in the first place.
Typically:
36 spoke wheel - might not go out of true to any noticeable extent
32 spoke - might need to take the Q/R off to prevent brakes rubbing
28 or less spokes - may be so out of true as to be unrideable or you could fubar it by trying...

but in any case:
Tape the loose end to an adjacent spoke before you ride it - and take it gently.

 

[cyberknight]

but in any case:
Tape the loose end to an adjacent spoke before you ride it - and take it gently.

Yup , you might need to open your brakes a bit if the wheel wobbles a bit where the spokes gone, at least its snapped at the centre so getting the old one out should be easy .

 

[Boothy]

thanks. the spoke is on the non drive side of the wheel. Distance 12.5 miles. All roads. Bike is as in the picture on my profile - looks like 32 spokes on pic but i can go out and count at lunch. Load is me - 12 stone.............and a half..........and another half, and a fairly light backpack.

I can get tape from the office, great idea!

cheers for answers so far everyone!

 

[Boothy]

I've had to un do the brake as it is rubbing. I thought I was just tired but it appears i was pedalling with the brake half on. I can manage on just the front brake whilst cycling carefully as the roads are not busy

 

[HLaB]

IMO the key thing is not how smooth the roads are or how much you weigh - but how many spokes there were in the first place.
Typically:
36 spoke wheel - might not go out of true to any noticeable extent
32 spoke - might need to take the Q/R off to prevent brakes rubbing
28 or less spokes - may be so out of true as to be unrideable or you could fubar it by trying...

but in any case:
Tape the loose end to an adjacent spoke before you ride it - and take it gently.

Important consideration too, but I've had lesser spoked aero wheels stay more true with a snapped spoke, than heavilly spoked wheels, the quality/ age of the rim has something to do with it. The OP should be fine to limp home, its not excessively far or loaded and it doesnt sound like they plan to jump of kerbs

 

[Crankarm]

Spoke has broke. You need a replacement. Take to competent bike shop if you cannot do yourself.

 

[Boothy]

Booked in to be dropped off at bike shop tomorrow. One problem, tmrw just happens to be payday. And you should never go in a bike shop on payday. I dread to think what I'll come out with and how much I will have spent haha

It seems to be ok to ride home. I've secured it. Oh and I was wrong with a previous post. It is on the chain side of the wheel that it has become detached.

 

[Boothy]

Got home ok cheers folks!