• Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I took a wheel to my LBS to have a spoke replaced and after getting it back, two spokes have failed within the first 100km. Is the tension all out/is it going to need to be rebuilt?

  • If spokes are failing get them all replaced.

  • There may indeed be a tensioning issue as mechanics won't usually re-tension wheels thoroughly after replacing just one spoke. However, this is unlikely to cause the spokes to pop unless they are severely under-tensioned. What is more likely is that you need to rebuild the wheel with new spokes and nipples, as Cycleclinic suggests.

    Take note of where the spokes are snapping. If the breaks are close to the J-bend, the wheel has probably been under-tensioned for some time, allowing the J-bends to move about in the holes in the hub flange, which has weakened them. If your chain has ever gone into your spokes, this may have scratched/gouged them and caused weakness in a similar way. If the breaks are close to the threaded end of the spokes, you may have some corrosion between spoke and nipple and rim, which is making the spokes more brittle.

    Hope that helps.

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