How Do I Know What Size Spokes I Need?

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If the rim has recessed spoke holes, the bolt will extend to the bottom of an eyelet. Screw down the nut until it rests against the ruler. Then use the ruler to measure the length between the nut and the end of the bolt. Subtract the thickness of the ruler (here, about 0.5 mm).

What is effective rim diameter?

Effective Rim Diameter (ERD) is the diameter on which you want the ends of the spokes to lie. Most people prefer it near the end of the spoke nipple.

How do you measure the diameter of a hub flange?

Hub flange diameter, also known as Pitch circle diameter (PCD), is measured between centres of opposite spoke holes of the same hub flange. Best tool for determine that is by using caliper gauge and spread it between centres of the opposite spoke holes.

Can you ride with a broken spoke?

Generally, it is not dangerous to ride with a broken or missing spoke. … 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. And if your wheels are ​lights, they may fall off if many spokes break.

How much does it cost to replace spokes?

Spokes are usually $1.00 – $2.00 each. Any shop will sell individual spokes. Labor to replace a spoke is $10 – $20 depending on your location.

Are double butted spokes stronger?

Double butted spokes are lighter than straight gauge and offer better ride qualities due to a more flexible center section. Double butted spokes are generally very strong, however spokes with 1.5mm center sections can be challenging to build at higher tension due to twisting.

What is a straight pull spoke?

Straight-pull spoke: spokes that have no bend at the flared head, or in the case of DT Swiss Tricon wheels, spokes that are threaded at both ends. Straight-pull spokes require dedicated hubs.

Do more spokes make a wheel stronger?

A bike wheel with more spokes is stronger than a bike wheel with fewer spokes. What’s more, different spokes offer differing levels of strength and durability. Spokes are the individual pieces that hold together a bicycle wheel to create the structure needed to support the weight of your bicycle and rider.

Is it better to have more or less spokes?

More spokes typically mean a stronger wheel. However, spokes a lot better these days compared to the galvanized steel spokes of yesteryear so 32 spokes is more than enough unless you’re a Clydesdale or ride a tandem or loaded touring bike, where 36 spokes might not be enough.

What causes broken spokes?

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.

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Can spokes be replaced?

A faulty or damaged spoke should simply be replaced. In a properly built wheel, stainless steel spokes don’t fail through fatigue, so a fatigue failure can be the first of many. Two or more fatigue failures means the best option is to rebuild the whole wheel with new spokes.

How long can you ride with a broken spoke?

Exactly How Long Can I Ride My Mountain Bike with a Broken Spoke? If you’ve only broken one spoke, you should be fine to ride it for an average ride or two. However, you shouldn’t take it on any particularly rough trails or on long rides. It will be wobblier, so be cautious, and get it replaced as soon as possible.

What does broken spokes really mean?

Broken spokes are usually a result of damage or just a poorly made wheel in the first place. The pinch flats are probably more an issue of poor technique; try going tubeless. Spoke damage can often come from dropping your chain off the back of the cassette.

How much does it cost to true a wheel?

If the wheel is fixable–it generally looks good but has a wobble–you can expect your local bike shop to charge $20 – $30 to true it using professional equipment like a truing stand for the perfect line and roundness.

Can you straighten a bent spoke?

To fix it, I tighten the spoke opposite the bend: the spoke circled in green. Tightening this spoke pulls the rim to the right. If the bend was going in the opposite direction, I’d instead tighten the spoke circled in blue. To tighten a spoke, place the spoke nipple into the notch in the wrench.

Can you ride a MTB 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.

How do I know what size my hub is?

Place a tape measure across the face of the exposed wheel hub, which it protrudes out from the center of the drum brake assembly. Take the measurement across the front of the hub, which is the diameter of the hub. Make sure your tape measure intersects the center of the hub.

How do you measure hub width?

If you are unsure of your frame spacing or have an older bicycle, measure the hub width to ensure a proper fit. To do this, remove the rear wheel and use a pair of calipers or a ruler to measure the distance between the inner surfaces of the dropouts.

Are more spokes stronger?

Also spokes need to be stronger, thicker (and heavier). … Wheels with 36 and more spokes can carry more load, are more durable and easier to (keep) true. Even in case a spoke breaks, they don’t come out of true very much and can get a rider home. 40 spoke wheels can even be ridden for years with one broken spoke.

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