Broken spoke after 7,000km - time for new wheels?

Micilin Muc · 15-09-2014 7:01am #1

So this morning I broke a spoke in my rear wheel. The wheels have 7,000km in them (just as the spoke broke actually). I had a spoke key and was able to tighten the surrounding spokes enough to get the rest of the way to work.

Anyway, they are entry-level wheels, Shimano WHR-501, currently on sale for €125 for the pair on CRC. I only have the one road bike and I'm heavily dependent on it for commuting. Supposing my LBS tells me I need a new wheel - was I lucky in getting 7,000km out of entry-level wheel or am I better off upgrading?

I don't do any sportifs or anything, just commuting (around 250km per week).

smacl · 15-09-2014 7:29am

You could get the spoke replaced and the others checked before binning the wheel, could just be a problem with that spoke and you might get another 10k with no issues. That said, when something similar happened to me I ended up buying a set of Fulcrum 7s which have been bombproof ever since, and seemed to roll better from day one.

Lumen · 15-09-2014 7:37am

You should be able to use a wheel until the rim wears out.

A broken spoke under normal riding conditions is not normal wear and tear, it's caused by manufacturing fault or badly tensioned spokes.

Type 17 · 15-09-2014 11:42am

Get it checked at your LBS - if the rim is fairly good (quite straight, not too worn on brake tracks), then get a spoke fitted and ride on, but if some of the spokes are really tight from being used to pull in a crooked rim and/or the whole wheel is tired, then it might be time to invest again.

RonanCFD · 15-09-2014 2:17pm

If you decide to replace them, Merlin is €30 cheaper than CRC:

http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-r501-wheels-49086.html

Micilin Muc · 15-09-2014 4:31pm

Cheers for the advice.

The LBS just replaced the spoke, no need for further replacements. It was most likely caused by the rear derailleur hanger getting caught in the spokes about 1,000km ago.

Apparently I should get a good few more kms in before I need to replace the wheels. I'm tempted to get the replacement ones from Merlin anyway for when I do need to replace them. It's not a bad price and they've served me well so far.

Nigel's in Galway did the repair and were happy to do it on the spot at lunchtime

Thanks again!

biketard · 16-09-2014 6:43am

Time for a new bike, I'd say.

j/k

ZiabR · 16-09-2014 7:32am

Micilin Muc wrote: »

Cheers for the advice.

The LBS just replaced the spoke, no need for further replacements. It was most likely caused by the rear derailleur hanger getting caught in the spokes about 1,000km ago.

Apparently I should get a good few more kms in before I need to replace the wheels. I'm tempted to get the replacement ones from Merlin anyway for when I do need to replace them. It's not a bad price and they've served me well so far.

Nigel's in Galway did the repair and were happy to do it on the spot at lunchtime

Thanks again!

Good stuff, glad you got sorted.

Broken spoke after 7,000km - time for new wheels?

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