Is it true that 3 Broken Spokes = Re-build required?

I've got 3 broken spokes on this old steel rimmed Wheel (that I'm not sure when they broke).

And the bloke at London Fields Cycles reckons that you can't just replace them - that you need to rebuild the wheel with a full set of new spokes and perhaps a new rim. Is that true?

Depends how fucked the wheel is. If you've ridden it for a while with broken spokes, other spokes can lose their tension and you get further and further out of true.

You can just replace them but if he is talking about replacing the rim too - perhaps he noted that the rim is toast?

no hard and fast rules. pends if beater etc

I think I've been riding it around a bit with the broken spokes. but I dont' think its that far out of wack.

And well he didn't even look at the wheel. I had it with me but he didn't even take it off me to glance at it. just said:

"how Many are broken", "Oh well 3 , thats going to need a complete rebuild"..."the others will have ...blah blah"

Oh and the bike is actually not Fixed/SS its just an old Raliegh with 3speed SA hub. So a beater. but I'm quite enjoying riding it around.

If it's a beater, I'd get the correct length spokes and true it myself.

could be a con, get a second opinion.

Lets think about this...

if its been sort of ok without the missing spokes, then likely just replacing them, will be fine if its a beater. Shows how strong some wheels are. Is it an old wheel with 36 spokes..? are the 3 on the same side..? or together..? or..?

Sounds like a job for someone on here in return for a few quid/beers...

its an old wheel and yeah seem to have a lot of spokes compared to Modern Wheels that you see about town.

maybe 36 will have to count them when home. Might see if Bike Yard East can fix it for me? anyone used them for work?

what if they tell you that the wheel needs rebuilding?
will you then post and say something about them?
until you visit a shop that gives you the answer you want?

what if they tell you that the wheel needs rebuilding?
will you then post and say something about them?
until you visit a shop that gives you the answer you want?

jesus. cynical? - I'm not bad-mouthing anyone. I'm just trying to verify that I was receiving reliable information.

and if you must know Bike Yard East over email have stated:

Three spokes may suggest that the whole wheel is fatigued and may need replacing. But, let's see it. It may be salvagable.

which somewhat backs up London Fields Cycles - so clearly that may be the only feasible approach

The other thing is, if the wheel is old, the spokes can rust/oxidize together making truing the wheel after replacing some missing spokes near impossible. YOu end up having to remove all the old, rusted spokes and doing a full rebuild.

or just wack a couple new in and jims your auntys lover!

+1 if its just a beater get a new wheel.

or a true second hand one off here for cheapness.

the bloke at London Fields Cycles reckons that you can't just replace them - that you need to rebuild the wheel with a full set of new spokes and perhaps a new rim. Is that true?

I would say its not true.

The answer you want is: "yes i can supply and fit 3 spokes for you before i true the wheel"

when you find a shop decent enough to give this response, stick with them.