Help my bike!!

[beavereater]

OK...bicycles are expensive and stolen quite often here in Japan. SO, I take good care of mine and keep it in a safe place. Anyway, a few hours ago, for no apparent reason, the bike made a pop sound...I got off and took a look.

One of the back spokes is broken. Now, when I spin the back wheel, it brushes against the back break and stops. If I ride it, I don't notice, but I figured it would be best to get it fixed.

My question is though, how seriouse a problem is this and why does it happen? The reason I ask is because I could just go to the local shop and get the spoke replaced for a couple bucks. BUT if it's more serious, the shop I bought it from actually promised to take care of any and all damage caused to the bike (They got in trouble with me after an earlier bike problem).

I would bring it to them, but it would mean waiting 2 weeks because they have to send it away to the manufacturer...yes, even for 1 spoke. Which is the only reason I'm wondering whether or not just to shell out a little cash and get it done right away.

Anyone know anything about bicycles?

[thecoalman]

My question is though, how seriouse a problem is this and why does it happen?

Nothing spectacular, I was bike mechanic at one time. I can fix that in a few minutes with the right tools, specifically a spoke wrench. It could of broke for a few reasons, probably just a defective spoke. Also could of had too much tension on it from being overtightened from a previous bend in the rim (unavoidable) but if that was the case it probably would have came out of true a lot more.

I would bring it to them, but it would mean waiting 2 weeks because they have to send it away to the manufacturer...yes, even for 1 spoke. Which is the only reason I'm wondering whether or not just to shell out a little cash and get it done right away.

See my post above, that's relatively minor to fix. If you can fix a flat and get your hands on a spoke wrench or wrench small enough to fit on the spoke nipple (the small elongated nuts protruding out of the rim) you can fix it your self. Just take the tire, tube and rim liner off. All come off fairly easy. Measure a spoke (it's probably a standard length for that size rim unless it's an unusual spoke pattern, measure just in case) or take it to the shop to get another of the correct size, make sure you get a nipple with it. Thread the spoke through the spoke hole on the hub, make sure you thread it so it matches the pattern. insert the end of the spoke in the hole in the rim and thread the nipple on. It should now be assembled and look like the rest of them but very loose.

Put the rim back on the bike without the tire and tube and tighten the spoke up so it's taunt. Use your brakes as a guide to determine how much you need to tighten it. If you spin it you can see if it's still hitting the brakes, tighten until it no longer does.

You may not even need a spoke wrench. Those nipples usually have a slot for flathead screwdriver on the back (the part inside the rim) As long as it doesn't have to tightened too much you can tighten it that way.

Once you have trued up make sure that spoke doesn't protrude beyond the nipple (that's 4 nipples I got in the post ) inside the rim where the tire is. If it's the correct size it shouldn't but if it does just file it off, otherwise you'll get flat.

[ZAPPER]

Wow, Been a long time since I played with a spoke wrench. Coalman hit just about everything that you need to do. The onlything I would add is that all of the spokes should be about the same tension. I used to use a crayon braced on the frame and spin the wheel while moving the crayon closer to the wheel to check for trueness. After the wheel is true check the tension on every spoke to make sure that they are all atleast under tension if not close to the same. When you are pulling the rim one direction to true it, you should slightly loosen the spokes on the other side a bit to allow it to move. Take your time and good luck.

[beavereater]

Thanks...I'm probably gonna bring it to the local bike shop and watch him do it. Nice guy. My biggest worry was that the back tire rim would have been warped. Have to replace the back would've cost me some cash...or time, if I brought it the place I bought it.

When I first bought my bike, it was fine. I only ride on the street, never jump curbs or anything. Easier and faster than a subway or train sometimes, and cheaper. BUT 4 months after buying it, about 8 spokes just all snapped.

I called the maker first, complaining. I asked what I should do. In the conversation the lady mentioned that "We've had a lot of problems with the back tire on that particular model" I got that persons name just in case I needed to quote her. I did quote her, and they took my bike in for repairs. Other problems came when they failed to give me a loaner while I waited (10 days to 2 weeks) and got angry when it hit the 3 week mark.

Finally I get a call. Long story short...I knew that there line was defective and said I would take legal action against them if I wasn't reimbursed in some form for the money I had to spend on the trains and subways (Expensive here in Japan)...they gave me some free stuff for my bicycle and a lifetime warranty.

[thecoalman]

Thanks...I'm probably gonna bring it to the local bike shop and watch him do it. Nice guy. My biggest worry was that the back tire rim would have been warped. .

It just looks that way cause there's no tension on it because of that missing spoke. You shouldn't be busting spokes like that though, even the cheapest bikes (like Huffy) that we sold at the bike shop where I worked never had problems like that, bent rims and all.

You might want to look and make sure the spokes aren't over-tightened. It's kind of hard explain how they should be but if there is no give in them at all then they are to tight. There should be some flex, just a little though.

[ZAPPER]

How about an update?

[zzyzzx]

If it's a newish bike and you are breaking spokes, then either you are very fat(extermely unlikely if you ride a lot) or they undersized the spokes. In any event, when you get high mileage on a bike and a spoke breaks, then another, then it's time to replace all of them on that wheel.

[hudsonf]

I knew that there line was defective and said I would take legal action against them if I wasn't reimbursed in some form for the money I had to spend on the trains and subways (Expensive here in Japan)...they gave me some free stuff for my bicycle and a lifetime warranty.

They should give you 2 new wheels for you bike.