Spoke too soon?

"CalzoneGolem" (calzonegolem) 04/28/2020 at 15:02 • Filed to: None

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Got a bicycle question.

I popped another spoke on my mountain bike and warped the rear rim so badly it was catching on the brakes. That made my ride much harder.

Would it be possible to get thicker spokes and swap them out? I know lac ing a wheel is a huge pain in the ass but if I did them one at a time I wouldn’t have most of the issues that come with that.

Or should I just order a complete beefier wheel?

SmugAardvark > CalzoneGolem 04/28/2020 at 15:18

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If it was me, I’d just buy a sturdier wheel. But then again, I’m a bit lazy.

It’s been a long time since I even looked at the parts, but I do remember the costs being fairly similar when I was upgrading my old hybrid bike. For the gear I was looking at, it was about $20 cheaper to just buy a wheel . Plus there’s factoring in the cost of time needed to do the work of actually assembling the whole thing. Now, if you are just upgrading spokes and the rim while using the same hub, it might be very slightly more cost-efficient.

CalzoneGolem > SmugAardvark 04/28/2020 at 15:25

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Well I’ve got the time and inclination to fix it myself. I’ll have to take a look at prices on wheels and spokes. I’d just be upgrading the spokes the rim is good it just warped due to the broken spoke. A few minutes with a spoke wrench got it to not rub anymore. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CalzoneGolem 04/28/2020 at 15:25

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Just buy another wheel. Once they are that far gone it will cost more to repair than buying a new one. I’ve got a single speed 26" rim brake wheel in my garage if that’s something you want to try but it will probably cost a bit to ship to you.

CalzoneGolem > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 04/28/2020 at 15:34

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T oo far gone? Because all the spokes are stressed now and will probably start popping?

I’ve put many hard miles on bikes and I’ve never had spoke issues like this bike. But even then it’s only popped 2 spokes.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CalzoneGolem 04/28/2020 at 15:38

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If your rim is warped more than 1 cm then it’s probably bent and it will need to be replaced as well. If it’s not that bad then you can try 14 gauge straight pull spokes and re- lace the entire wheel. If you fully detention it first you can repl a ce one spoke at a time and avoid having to learn how to lace a wheel from scratch.

Nom De Plume > CalzoneGolem 04/28/2020 at 15:52

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Can you look what exact wheel and hub you have. That will determine how viable long term it is to keep repairing.  If you really enjoy riding this bike a good set of wheels is the best improvement you can add to it.  You might gasp at what my idea of a good set of wheels actually is, but you’d also be amazed how much more enjoyable riding became.

My guess is these were robot built wheels that will do much better after some time spent learning on them. So by all means buy some matching spokes and spend some time on it right now. Fully destroying stuff is at least 90% of the fun that makes replacing it actually enjoyable.  

Nom De Plume > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 04/28/2020 at 15:57

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I never scoff at having a backup set of wheels for emergency duty or doing stupid crap on.  Two spokes is a pretty small fiscal investment and he’ll learn along the way.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Nom De Plume 04/28/2020 at 16:38

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I’ll send you some more pictures of stuff I have available tonight, and I have set the XT cranks aside for you. I’ve got 4 boxes shipping out today, feels good to get rid of some old stuff. 

Nom De Plume > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 04/28/2020 at 18:13

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Looking forward to it, thanks again.

CalzoneGolem > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 04/28/2020 at 22:11

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I tried to lace a wheel from scratch once and gave up but not before wanting to hurl the whole mess into the woods.

CalzoneGolem > Nom De Plume 04/28/2020 at 22:13

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I'll take a look at what I've got and let you know.

CalzoneGolem > Nom De Plume 04/29/2020 at 11:56

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This is what I have for wheels.

Nom De Plume > CalzoneGolem 04/29/2020 at 14:09

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Those are machine built wheels made with the cheapest materials and techniques, Grab a handful (5 since others are suspect) of spokes and spend as much time as you want screwing with them since they won’t stay true like a good wheel. Ride em into the ground. Spend as little time and money as possible outside playing around adjusting spokes for fun and learning.

Good news is 26" wheels are going to be fairly cheap used. You should start looking if you have some funds. $100 will make a massive improvement in how you can ride. AVOID OEM wheels, they are given an inflated theoretical replacement value idiots take seriously, and look for good quality name brand rims and hubs paired together. That is almost certainly going to mean a Shimano hub you need to make sure accepts the same speed cassette you use.

Try to get a real cassette in the deal. Upgrade as much about the wheels as possible in one go. Also m ake sure you put new bearings in the new wheels and spend an inordinate amount of time getting them adjusted perfectly WHEN THE SKEWERS ARE TIGHT.  

Nom De Plume > CalzoneGolem 04/29/2020 at 14:36

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I think you have skewers and rim brakes, but disc mounts?

CalzoneGolem > Nom De Plume 04/29/2020 at 22:13

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No disc mounts.

CalzoneGolem > Nom De Plume 04/29/2020 at 22:16

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Sounds like a plan. I’ll order some upgraded spokes and keep my eyes open for some replacement wheels. My buddy is always getting bike parts so maybe he'll see something.

Nom De Plume > CalzoneGolem 04/30/2020 at 02:08

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As the online looting of bike shops attests, especially this year Spring is an awful time to be shopping for bike parts. Rim brake 26" wheels shouldn’t demand a premium so don’t give in to one.