
- Get a replacement spoke that matches the ones on your wheel. Simply take the broken one into a bike shop and they'll provide you with a match.
- Thread the spoke through the hub, matching the pattern exactly so that it fits the sequence of existing spokes.
- Thread the spoke up through the other spokes, again matching the pattern (over some neighboring spokes, under others) on the way to the nipple. ...
- Line up the threaded end of the spokes with the nipple, and using a spoke wrench, screw it into place. ...
Can you ride a bike with a Broken Spoke?
Yes, you can ride with a broken spoke. That is one or two broken spokes after that it starts to weaken the wheel and therefore may not be able to spread the weight. If the broken spoke is wobbly or broken you should try to remove or secure the broken spoke as it may damage other parts of your bike.
How bad is a Broken Spoke?
If you’ve broken multiple spokes, for instance, if you took a fall, you may not be able to ride long. The broken spokes won’t support the wheel, and it may become too wobbly. This is the worst-case scenario, but if it does happen to you, walk your bike the rest of the way.
Can I ride home with a Broken Spoke?
You can technically ride with a broken/missing spoke, but it is not ideal. The missing spoke is going to put pressure on the others, and it will cause bigger problems if you don’t replace it. If you are already on the trail, ride on, but if you are home and notice a broken spoke, you should replace it before you ride again.
Can you ride on a Broken Spoke?
Yes, you can ride with a broken spoke or even multiple broken spokes, as long as the wheels are still able to roll, but it will leave your ride wobbly and will eventually cause damage to other spokes. You won’t want to ride it for long, and you’ll want to get it fixed quickly, but it doesn’t mean an end to your adventure at all.

Can you fix a broken spoke on a bike?
Don't panic: you can fix this. You need to know how to true a wheel and a spoke key. If it doesn't work out, hand the wheel over to your bike shop; you'll be no worse off for trying. You're unlikely to have a spare spoke with you if one snaps when you're riding to work, nor the time or spoke key required to fit it.
How do you fix a bike spoke?
0:303:28How to Replace Bike Spokes | Bicycle Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSee if there's any more broken spokes if you have one broken spoke in place you can replace it ifMoreSee if there's any more broken spokes if you have one broken spoke in place you can replace it if you have two or three usually need to replace the wheel it could be very far out of tension basically
How do you fix a broken spoke on a wheel?
11:1313:11How to Fix a Broken Spoke on a Bike Wheel - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen i can remove the other part of the broken off nipple from the end of the spoke. Here. And thenMoreThen i can remove the other part of the broken off nipple from the end of the spoke. Here. And then insert it into the one that i just put into the rim tighten it on with my spoke wrench.
Can you ride a bike with a missing spoke?
Generally, it is not dangerous to ride with a broken or missing spoke. It is pretty safe if only one spoke is broken. But if three or four spokes have broken, it's best to stop cycling. This could lead to more spokes breaking, the wheel bucking and more expensive repairs.
Why do spokes break on bikes?
Bike spokes break most commonly due to wear and tear. A high-frequent cause for spoke breaks is that the rider has hit a curb or pothole, doesn't maintain the bike well, or the passenger is too heavy for that model. Rougher terrain will also deteriorate the rims faster, which in turn deteriorates the spokes faster.
Can you replace a single spoke?
If the spoke's snapped inside or near the nipple, replace it. Remove the tyre and rim strip, then use a magnetic screwdriver to pull the nipple out of the hole. Thread a new one onto the end of a spoke, feed it through the hole and then unscrew the nipple from the spoke.
How much does it cost to replace a bike spoke?
Labor RatesTUNE-UP PACKAGESSpoke Replacement (Includes wheel truing, does include spokes)Â$25.00Spoke Replacement with Tune-Up$10.00$30.00*$25.00*Remove / Install Cassette on Bike$10.00$15.0040 more rows•Jun 12, 2022
Is it hard to replace spokes?
Insert the spoke head into the hub;insert the threaded end through thewheel rim and screw the spoke nipple on. A broken or bent wheel spoke can cause further problems with your bike, but replacing it is easy. Tools: adjustable wrench, two tire irons, wire cutter, bicycle spoke wrench, file, bicycle pump.
How much does it cost to replace a bike spoke?
Labor RatesTUNE-UP PACKAGESSpoke Replacement (Includes wheel truing, does include spokes)Â$25.00Spoke Replacement with Tune-Up$10.00$30.00*$25.00*Remove / Install Cassette on Bike$10.00$15.0040 more rows•Jun 12, 2022
How do you fix a noisy spoke?
5:2814:11Finding & Fixing Bike Noises from Wheels: Ticks, Taps, Clicks, Creaks ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGet a thin lube like a triflo. And go around. And put a drop of lube. At each cross then squeeze itMoreGet a thin lube like a triflo. And go around. And put a drop of lube. At each cross then squeeze it to give it a chance to work its way. In then wipe off the excess.
How do you tighten spokes without tools?
To make them able to be tightened by mere fingers, you need to release the tension on them so the nipples will spin easily. That's as simply as pulling the wheel as far to the right as possible, which is very easy by grabbing the wheel and chainstay and squeezing them together.
What causes loose spokes?
The most common causes for spoke loosening are either not enough tension or uneven tension around the wheel. Before even thinking about changing that rim I would re-build the wheel making sure the spokes do have enough tension and have the same tension for all the spokes on the same side of the wheel.
How long does it take to replace a spoke on a bike?
Fortunately the fix is pretty simple: it'll take your local bike shop just a couple of minutes to replace the spoke and it's usually an inexpensive proposition - around a buck for a new spoke and maybe a half-hour's labor if it is a rear wheel spoke that needs replaced and the mechanic has to remove the cassette in the process.
How to keep spokes from getting entangled in bike?
To keep it secure, you can tape it to a neighbor or unscrew it from the nipple and remove it completely.
What is a bike spoke?
Bike spokes are a pretty simple part of your bike. They support your weight and transfer power from the hub to the wheel. Though occasional maintenance and general inspection will identify most problems with spokes, you'll still have things pop up from time to time.
Where do spokes break?
Spokes break most frequently where the head of the spoke laces into the hub at the innermost part of the wheel because the curved head of the spoke is the weakest part and yet still has to bears a lot of the weight and force of power transfer.
Can you bend a spoke?
It's okay to bend the spoke a fair amount as you work it into place. Line up the threaded end of the spokes with the nipple, and using a spoke wrench, screw it into place. Tighten it so that its tension is roughly equal to its neighbors. You can pluck it with your fingers like a guitar string.
Can you ride a bike with a broken spoke?
You're okay to ride it a bit longer if necessary to get home, but you don't want another forty miles or continue riding days and days with a broken spoke if you can help it. It puts additional stress and strain on your other spokes (which can then cause them to break prematurely at some point down the road too) and can make your wheel go out of true.
How to fix a broken spoke on a car?
First, you need to get the spoke out of the way so that it doesn’t interfere with your wheel turning. If you have a broken spoke on the front wheel, you should be able to just slide it out of the hub. If it’s on the rear wheel, bend the broken spoke around one of the spokes adjacent to it.
What happens if you break a spoke on a bike?
If you don’t know what to do and how to fix a broken spoke, this can end your ride right there. With just one broken spoke, your whole wheel can go out of true, making it impossible for the wheel to turn without hitting your brake pads and/or your fork or frame (depending on if you have a broken spoke in the front or rear wheel).
How to remove spokes from a bike?
1. For a rear wheel spoke, first remove the cassette. If you’ve snapped a spoke on the front, skip to step 2. Otherwise, remove the cassette and with the wheel off the frame, hold it steady with a chain whip and use a cassette lockring tool, turning it anticlockwise. Remove the cassette and put it somewhere safe.
How to unscrew a six bolt rotor?
If it’s a six-bolt, use a T25 Torx key to unscrew the bolts, anticlockwise. If it’s a centre lock rotor, either a cassette lockring or external bottom bracket tool will remove the lockring. Then pull the rotor off the hub. 3. Unwind the spoke. Unwind the spoke with a spoke key.
How long has Seb been riding a mountain bike?
Seb's been riding and racing mountain bikes for half his life. Since getting hooked on mountain bikes aged thirteen riding a tiny 24Seven Crosser, he's raced downhill, enduro and cross country, and while no athlete, still enters the occasional race. Seb studied experimental physics at university, and he's now happily using (wasting) his degree experimenting with different bike setups, trying to work out what works best and why. You'll often find him riding the same track ten times in a day, changing just one thing to pin down the differences. Seb's much happier back-to-back testing suspension on a wet Welsh hillside than riding the latest five-figure bikes on some sunny press trip - although he quite likes that too!
Can you replace a spoke without removing the nipple?
Jonathan Ashelford / Immediate Media. If the spoke nipple is undamaged and there’s still a few cm of spoke left, you can replace it without removing the nipple , which is much quicker, though not the best long-term fix.
Do straight pull spokes overlap?
Some straight-pull spokes are designed not to overlap, so in that case thread it in the same way as the other spokes in the wheel.
What happens if you break a spoke on a bike?
On the other hand, if three or four spokes come loose or break you'll need to stop cycling. If you don't the wheel will buckle significantly and lead to more expensive repairs.
How to minimize spoke breaking?
First, don’t ride up curbs. In places with lots of pavement, it can be tempting to take shortcuts that take your bike over curbs. Don’t do it (like I do)!
Why do spokes come loose?
The danger of a spoke coming loose increases over time. They need tightening or loosening to readjust and maintain the tension. Sometimes a wheel may buckle through hitting a curb or another bump at the wrong angle. Hitting stuff can cause one or more spokes to come loose.
How long can you ride a bike with one spoke missing?
It’s possible to ride a bike with just one spoke missing for several months, but the longer it goes un-repaired, the more damage will be done. Other spokes will come loose. The wheel may begin to buckle and eventually it will have to be taken into a shop.
What causes a spoke to break?
The wheels of bikes have rims. Each rim has a series of spokes connected to it . Half of the spokes pull to the left and the other half pull to the right. These keep tension on the rim and cause the wheel to run ‘ true .’.
Why is it important to clean your bike?
A clean bike also has the added benefit of allowing you to spot minor glitches before they become a major problem. Spokes are one of the often overlooked but necessary components of your bike. They keep the wheel true, the ride smooth and can even be accessorised if that’s your style. Look after them.
What does it mean when a wheel is true?
These keep tension on the rim and cause the wheel to run ‘ true .’ This simply means it isn’t wobbling to the left or right, it’s a straight, smooth ride.
