Any bike mechanics here?

thedoc46 · 3 Aug 2013 at 23:20

Hi,

I have two Marin Urban bikes that need some spokes replaced. A 2005 Marin Novato and a 2009 Marin Point Reyes. Both are 26" wheels. I'm not looking to rebuild the wheel here, just replace spokes as they break.

From the front wheel of the Novato, I removed a spoke using one of those 15 sized spoke wrenches, and it measured 263mm give or take a mm. I used a park tool SBC-1, spoke and cotter gauge.

Where I live, the humidty is not too kind on the spokes, i tend to have one break every few months. I'd like to buy a bundle up.

But am i right in thinking, that the front and back spokes maybe different sizes. Upto three different sizes, not taking into account the other bike. (On the Novato alone, the front wheel one size, and two different sizes for each side of the rear. Or am i safe just buying up a bundle of 263mm spokes?

I have the tools to take apart the cassette, so i guess i could just take it all apart, remove one spoke from each side and measure.

What's the general rule of thumb on a typical 26" wheel that's found on those type of bikes.

thedoc46 · 4 Aug 2013 at 11:42

MrGrumpy said:
try this http://www.wheelpro.co.uk/spokecalc/

I do not have the flange measuring tools. Besides this is more for a complete rebuild, as appose to changing a few spokes.

Nor does it answer my question.

thedoc46 · 4 Aug 2013 at 11:46

arknor said:
I wouldn't buy his book though.
just hit up youtube theres dozens of different tutorials for almost every bike related job out there

I have troweled YouTube, however, none of them properly explain spoke lengths. They're either how to rebuild the entire wheel using the spoke calc, which is complicated in itself, and even more so if you've not got the flange measuring tools, or they're too simplistic as in, this is how you remove the tyre, this is how you remove the spoke, then they just say take the spoke to your local bike shop for them to measure.

I just want to buy some online. I was under the assumption that all front wheel lengths would be the same, then 'maybe' a different length per side of the rear.. BUT, i'm finding it hard to get a straight answer.

thedoc46 · 4 Aug 2013 at 15:22

ok, so i took apart another spoke from the rear, and it does seem that they're all 263mm so my question is answered.

As for the humidity. I live in SW Florida, where humidity levels start off at 100% in the early part of the morning. Bikes stay in garages, which are not climatized. Where the spokes criss cross, as time goes on, the rubbing / tension takes away the paint and that's where they start to rust and weaken. The LBS use to replace spokes for a few bucks, but now they're charging their shop min of $15, so that's why I'll be doing my own in future. Besides i have most of the tools, so why not.

thanks for the help.

thedoc46 · 5 Aug 2013 at 11:59

Following on from this, I went ahead and removed the wheel again, and took a spoke off from the drive side. Indeed it was shorter. 260mm on the drive side.

So 263 for front and rear(non drive side) and 260 for the drive side of the rear. It was actually quite difficult to get the spoke out the drive side. I had to remove the cassette, and even then the I had to considerably bend the spoke to get it out. I'm guessing I used the wrong technique. But it was a good learning process. At least I know what I need to be buying now.