breaking spokes while touring

[jemo27]

I'm touring at the moment and have had a few spokes break. I'm looking at getting a stronger back wheel.

But what I am really asking is your experience with breaking spokes and not been able to fix it, what have you done?

My situation is that one spoke broke on the chain side of the back wheel. I have not been able to find any tools that i can carry to take off the cadence , do they exist?

Is 130 hilly kms too far to cycle with broken spokes? I have done 90kms on the flat with two broken

[il padrone]

I'm assuming you mean a tool to remove the cassette?

There is such a tool, that enables removal without a large shifter or a chain whip. This is it.





Fit it onto your cassette and axle like this



Then use the cranks to pedal the chain and loosen your cassettte lockring.

[jemo27]

Thats what i meant, i asked some bicycle shops no help.

I had no spoke problem with this wheel for 18 months, then suddenly 3 incidents about a week a part each.

[glennb]

Not something a LBS will stock.

I carry a DIY version - cassette tool reshaped (with angle grinder) with all non-spline section removed bar one tab that projects out over chain stay.

p.s. three spokes and I'd be rebuilding the wheel.

[il padrone]

Shops in the bush will know nothing about it. Your best bet would be to call a city touring shop and organise for them to post you one. It's small enough they could put it in a post pack and get it to you in a day or two. Try Abbotsford Cycles in Melbourne, ph. (03) 9429 6889 .

[RonK]

The simple solution is to carry a couple of FibreFix spokes, as mentioned in this thread. They should be available from most bike shops.

[rifraf]

Thats what i meant, i asked some bicycle shops no help.

I had no spoke problem with this wheel for 18 months, then suddenly 3 incidents about a week a part each.

I usually get my wheels tuned up yearly and give the hubs a grease.
I started doing this a few years ago when the mountain bike I owned broke a spoke.
I can do the bearings myself but get a professional to do my spokes.
I believe correct spoke tension is especially important in a tourer.
I'd ask for recommendations for a wheelbuilder of good repute in your closest area.
Of course the ability to build/service my own wheels is the goal end plan but for now
I've more than enough on my plate and leave the spokes for the initiated.
That tool il padrone looks a worthy addition to any toolbox

[rifraf]

I'm touring at the moment

Hi jemo27,
just clicked your underway on a current tour.
Where are you journeying?

[jemo27]

I have made my way down the Bonang highway to Orbost. I got my spokes fixed at Orbost. off to Bairnsdale on rail trail.
this is day 22 for me, should be finished Saturday, catching train to Melbourne.

can anyone recommend Bicycle touring shops in Melbourne?

[il padrone]

There is a very good bike shop in Bairnesdale - Bicycle Passion, owned by Warwick Meade, who posts on here at times, especially in the retro forum.

In Melbourne I can recommend Abbotsford Cycles (near Richmond railway station) for touring gear and bike repairs, also St Kilda Cycles are very good, Brunswick Street Cycles (in Brunswick St, Fitzroy).

[Aushiker]

There is such a tool, that enables removal without a large shifter or a chain whip. This is it.

Thanks for the heads-up on these. Looks like I might get one for my Dreaming Tour and beyond.

JensonUSA have them at a more reasonable price including postage.

Andrew

[Aushiker]

Got my JA Stein Mini Cassette Lock tool today in the mail via Amazon. Neat little tool which weighs in at 31 grams. Hopefully it works as well as it looks made

Andrew

[Cossie Phil]

Hi,

My first post here after reading the forums for quite some time, hopefully it helps!

I pulled my old roadbike out of retirement 6 months ago after a 20 year hibernation...as soon as I started doing over 50km per ride I basically broke a spoke per ride...3 in total, one front and 2 back. I wasnt keen to experince the same again so asked about a sure fire fix...considering I had done '000's of kms on the bike 20+ years ago without any breakages I knew it was possible. Basically I had the whole rear wheel rebuilt, all spokes replaced and havent broken one since...almost 1000kms on. My wheeks are only old Araya 700c rims but have been serving well once again. Im pretty sure it cost about the $60 mark so not expensive.

Cheers,

Phil.

[RonK]

Got my JA Stein Mini Cassette Lock tool today in the mail via Amazon. Neat little tool which weighs in at 31 grams. Hopefully it works as well as it looks made

Andrew

I have one, and it works - just make sure the cassette lockring is not overtight before you leave home...