How to Replace a Broken Spoke

Broken spokes are fairly common, especially on the drive side of older rear wheels.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Bike Spokes
• Spoke Wrenches

1. Buy a new spoke of the correct length and gauge.

2. Remove the tire, tube and rim tape.

3. Remove the cassette or freewheel if the spoke is broken on the drive side of the rear wheel.

4. Remove the broken spoke. You'll probably need to bend it around to get it out.

5. Thread the new spoke in through the spoke hole in the hub. Again, you'll probably need to bend it around a bit to get it in. Make sure that it weaves around the other spokes in the same way that the old one did.

6. Lube the spoke threads and thread on the spoke nipple.

7. Tighten the spoke until it is roughly the same tension as the neighboring spokes.

8. True the wheel. (See the Related eHow "True a Bike Wheel.")