important: Nuts and bolts on your bike should always be tightened to the manufacturer's specifications.

How to Replace a Broken Spoke

Demonstrates a single spoke removal and installation.

If you break a spoke on your wheel, the best thing to do is stop riding until you can get it repaired. However, sometimes you simply have to keep riding, in which case you can keep the broken spoke out of the way by twisting it around an adjacent spoke.

Spoke Removal

To replace the damaged spoke, first remove your wheel and then the tire, tube and rim tape. Then remove both ends of the damaged spoke and nipple. Spokes usually break either at the nipple or at the hub flange. If it’s a rear wheel, you’ll have to remove the cassette or freewheel first.

Spoke Installation

Insert the new spoke and gently flex it into place, using the other spokes as a guide. When installed properly, the spoke pattern should be consistent all the way around the wheel.

I personally recommend using linseed oil to lubricate the nipple threads before threading the nipple on to the spoke using a screwdriver or nipple driver.

Gently pre-bend the new spoke by pushing down on it at the hub flange, and then tighten the nipple using a spoke wrench until it has the same tension as the rest of the wheel. Check this by plucking the middle of the other spokes on the same side and then compare them to the sound of the new spoke. Now you can true the wheel as demonstrated in the last tutorial, and re-install your rim tape and tire.

Related Links

Recommended Tools

Categories

Discuss this topic in the Bicycle Repairs and Mechanics Forum

Shimano RevoShift upgrade

Latest post 15 hours ago

Hello. I bought a 2003 Raleigh SC40 recently. It is in very good shape but does show its age in areas. One is the 3x8 Shimano RevoShift twist shifters. They work just fine but are cosmetically challenged. The right rear shifter plastic cover has broken. I am inclined to replace both with new Shimano twist shifters. Hoping for suggestions, recommendations and cautions. Thanks for the help. ...

Read more

Specialized bicycle post issue

Latest post 15 hours ago

Hi folks - this is my first post! The seat post on my year old Roll 3.0 is doing something annoying. It has a bit of play around the shiny collar just above the post clamp (see photo). I was told there is a plastic sheathing inside. Can this be fixed or is the seat post all one assembly?   IMG_3153.jpeg (Size: 58.61 KB / Downloads: 680) ...

Read more

I have a bike in with an unresponsive transmission derailleur. Customer said it was hit with a stick that went into the spokes. There's no obvious damage other than wear and tear scuff marks. The battery is good and tested with the dropper. The shifter is good and working. The button on the derailleur does nothing. Single click, double clicking and holding the button. no response, no servo buzz,...

Read more

Philodo H8 5000W

Latest post 16 hours ago

Have a out 300 miles on a Philodo H8 5000W. A couple of times, after turning it on, it flashed "12" for a few seconds. Anyone have a clue?...

Read more

My friend is having this issue where the axle keeps slipping in the rear dropouts and hit the chain stay on the non-drive side.   IMG-20260418-WA0021.jpg (Size: 82.12 KB / Downloads: 85) This usually happens when a lot of force (climbing on a high gear or standing to sprint) is applied. It’s worse when the bicycle is loaded up with camping gear on the rear rack. Things tried th...

Read more

Hey all, I'd love some feedback on a repair issue. I just got the brakes bled and the first ride after was fine. But after one week of sitting idle, I took it out and the rear brake was suddenly making a horrible loud screeching noise when applied. Took it back to the shop and the mechanic showed how the two halves of the brake were not perfectly aligned and holding firm and there was oil leakage....

Read more

A question I've wanted to ask for a while now. From a personal point of view, what have you found to be the positives and negatives of these two valves? What would your preference be?...

Read more

70's=80's Free Spirit Blaze MTN

Latest post 2 months ago

70's-80's Free Spirit Blaze MTN   2.JPG (Size: 21.86 KB / Downloads: 13)   3.JPG (Size: 33.89 KB / Downloads: 14)   DSCN3722.JPG (Size: 32.65 KB / Downloads: 14)   4.JPG (Size: 56.63 KB / Downloads: 14) I need a front index shift lever or the matched set. Falcon derailleur, 10 speed or whatever is compatible. 7.3mm is the closet spacing measure...

Read more

Front Disc brake(Shimano) makes dreadful noise/vibration just at the ‘bite’ point where it stop the wheel (final 2 or 3 cms of rotation on the rotor ! Only started a month ago No luck in sorting it ! .. have had pads, rotor and caliper all replaced and it makes very little difference (all are clean, aligned and functioning as they should) Absolutely no problem on the rear. Don’t know wh...

Read more

So I bought this second hand rad rover five power bike it worked for the whole day and the end of the day I thought it died on me but it hasn't been able to start back up please contact me if you think you could help I've done some research and I have no idea what I'm doing I just need some help somebody knows what they're doing to guide me with this please I spent all my money on this I don't hav...

Read more

Need help with Drivetrain Update

Latest post 4 months ago

Hello everyone, I'm an older lifelong cyclist that recently had my beloved old yeti mountain bike stolen, and to try and fill that void, I picked up a 2015 Specialized Crosstrail (I'm riding more paved and gravel trails these days, my full-on mountain bike days are over!). The bike was in very good physical condition, apparently very lightly used. I was unable to ride before purchase, but it looke...

Read more

Hello! I tried to change my Velowave ranger e-bike breaks and the lever would not have traction. I researched and learned I needed to bleed the breaks, I tried the top method with the cup with a break bleeding kit. Still had the same issue, I tried to use the syringe at the caliper but the hole was too small for any of the included adapters. Is it just trapped air in the calipers/line that is ca...

Read more

Eye to Eye Shock Lengths

Latest post 4 months ago

Will my conversion work? I have an old 2014 Giant Trance 1. It is a small frame. It is just a backup bike. It is still fun to ride and works well when a friend is or family member is visiting and bikeless. I hate sending things to the land fill or not being able to keep them repaired and running. I already replaced the fork a couple of years ago. I already found some parts and converted to a ...

Read more

Shimano law suit

Latest post 4 months ago

Remember the Shimano law suit? Fortunately I had the"good model series" Thousands of riders trusted these components without a second thought. Now, the story has taken a serious turn. Shimano has agreed to pay an $11.5 million penalty after US regulators found the company failed to report a major defect in its 11 speed road cranksets on time. According to the CPSC, Shimano had received thou...

Read more

Hi there, I have a question in regards to either finding a replacement hub for my rear Mountain Bike or just replacing the whole wheel entirely. However when I went to a local bicycle shop (in China, that is so there are language barriers to keep in mind), upon inspection they claimed that the bicycle was too old to accept the replacement of their modern parts, which I honestly find hard to believ...

Read more