Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Wednesday, August 3, 2022 -- Manhattan Beach Pier -- Another broken spoke on the rear wheel...

Broke another spoke on the rear wheel on yesterday's ride.
This is the broken spoke.
This is the first time to break a spoke on the "drive-side" of the wheel and also the first time to break a spoke near the hub.
All previous broken spokes on this wheel have been on the "non-drive-side" and have broken near the rim.

the nipple broke apart where the spoke wrench engages.
This happened previously when I tried to adjust the tension.
With some of the spokes, I caused the problem by turning the wrench in the wrong direction (these spokes' nipples have "reverse" threads so you have to turn them in the opposite direction to "normal" thread).
But on some of these spokes, the nipple broke due to them being stuck to the rim and the nipple being made of an aluminum allow (instead of steel).  They seem to be pretty fragile, especially if the nipples are somewhat stuck on the rim.

This spoke broke right where it meet the hub.

Moved the spoke slightly to better show the break.

Also, on the non-drive-side, there are a couple of spokes that are loose.
The red arrow is pointing to one of the loose spokes.
I replaced two of the spokes recently (within the last year or so) but the replacement spokes I bought online are too long.
They're basically correct except they're about 7 mm too long.
I've tried to find the right length ones online but no luck.
Thus, with the loose spokes, the wheel can't really be trued.
With the latest broken spoke, it's time to retire this wheel.

 For now, I put on this spare wheel.
It's a Campagnolo wheel and doesn't match the front now.
I have a "set" of spare Mavic wheels that I can put on the bike.
They need tubes/tires put on and the rear wheel needs a cassette.
I can transfer the cassette from the broken wheel to the spare set.
I can also look for a matching Campagnolo front wheel at the bicycle swap meet...
But for now, this will work.
Rode to the pier and back and it worked out well.
The wheel is pretty much true so the rear brakes also work better.

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