Spoke issues

[knonist]

Which bike/work shop in Cambridge was it?

There is one central workshop which is just a rip off. It might be them. If so then AVOID.

Station cycle by the station

 

[knonist]

Rear wheel spoke replacement is easy enough on the non-cassette side. Definitely worth a try I'd say , before shelling out a load of dosh.


Siamo tutti farabutti

...It is on the cassette side....
I think I will need to find a part time course for bike repairing on the evening if I'm going to be a commuter

 

[Davidc]

...It is on the cassette side....
I think I will need to find a part time course for bike repairing on the evening if I'm going to be a commuter

That's usually a pain in the neck. I've never managed to do that side with the cassette on.

The last few times I've had that it's been caused by the chain coming off on the spoke side, and I've had damage to more than one spoke, so being lazier than when younger its been LBS done. Last time was in 2002 with my daughter's not quite BSO bike and it cost £30 with alloy spokes, doing all of that side only

 

[knonist]

Another one broken spoke day during my commute to work. Same wheel, the non cassette side. I think it broke in the middle as I cant find the other end.


It just came back from the bike shop less than 2 weeks ago, and I did only 5 rides on it!

£48.85 for replacing a spoke, and I have to return for more repair!

 

[knonist]

Called up the bikeshop, the guy on the phone suggested me to repalce the wheel...
It is certainly nothing wrong with the wheel but I think they over tension the spoke(s) when they trueing it.

 

[dellzeqq]

Would I be better off asking the bike shop to replace all the spokes on that wheel at once or just one will do?

there's no need to replace all the spokes. I'm just very surprised that you're getting charged £55 for one spoke - the service seems to me to be beside the point. Have you tried another bike shop?

What type of wheel is it?

 

[knonist]

there's no need to replace all the spokes. I'm just very surprised that you're getting charged £55 for one spoke - the service seems to me to be beside the point. Have you tried another bike shop?

What type of wheel is it?

it is similar to this, but it is called "Bontrager SSR w/Clix", these wheels came with the bike.
http://bontrager.com/model/08253

Is it often that a spoke break in the middle? last time it broke near the hub end, and this time it is in the middle.

I remebered reading something before saying it is no point to replace 1 spoke only as the rest will start to go.

 

[dellzeqq]

Is it often that a spoke break in the middle? last time it broke near the hub end, and this time it is in the middle.

nice wheels - well worth fixing

as for the spoke breaking in the middle - you have me there. I've never seen that happen. Sorry.

Get one spoke replaced by a bike shop that wants to do it, and have the wheel re-tensioned. Perhaps someone can recommend a bikeshop in Cambridge

 

[knonist]

nice wheels - well worth fixing

as for the spoke breaking in the middle - you have me there. I've never seen that happen. Sorry.

Get one spoke replaced by a bike shop that wants to do it, and have the wheel re-tensioned. Perhaps someone can recommend a bikeshop in Cambridge

Took the bike back the the LBC, the mechanic suggested to have all the spoke replaced to chrome - stainless steel (they were black coated stainless before). FOC

 

[Tynan]

I used to bend a wheels a far bit, being a big bloke doing decent miles on London roads

eventually I sprung for hand built wheels and have barely had a problem since, they seem much much stronger and robust

 

[knonist]

I used to bend a wheels a far bit, being a big bloke doing decent miles on London roads

eventually I sprung for hand built wheels and have barely had a problem since, they seem much much stronger and robust

I'm guessing the mechanic rebuilded my wheel by hand....
Dont think they have a machine in their workshop

 

[Alien8]

I'm guessing the mechanic rebuilded my wheel by hand....
Dont think they have a machine in their workshop

Hopefully a rebuild will sort your problems but the best long-term thing you can do Knonist is to learn to build your own wheels. There's plenty of literature on the subject, it's not difficult, and just needs a bit of time to develop the experience and feel of a well built wheel. It's also an enjoyable and satisfying activity.

If you are interested in building your own wheels I recommend Roger Musson's book.