Simonberserker

Hello everyone,
I spotted a very good deal on a roadbike. The thing is that the adverts says there is one spoke missing from the back wheel. And that the shifting needs to be adjusted. Are these big problems that i should avoid. Or is this easily fixable

grayEZrider

The description indicates the current owner can't fix it himself and has discovered a couple hours work by a shop mechanic not worth it. Unless the bike is worth over $300 I would steer clear unless you have someone with more experience who can give you some help. Learning to work on bikes is actually fun but the self-taught early lessons care not cheap!

Simonberserker

The bike is worth around 850 and is being advertised at 500 euros. So even with the shop work i think it might be worth it.

Amt0571

If the rim is not bent, a missing spoke is not a big issue and extremely cheap to replace if you do it by yourself and it's a normal spoke. If it's a special type of spoke it probably is a bit more expensive but shouldn't be a deal breaker.

Regarding the shifting, as long as it's misadjusted and nothing is broken or needs replacing, you can do it yourself for free in a few minutes.

Simonberserker

I think ill ask a friend to help me do these things at home. Thanks for the advice everyone

TiHabanero

Although the OP has made a decision, I need to interject a thought about the missing spoke. Why is the spoke missing? Was it removed after it broke? If that is the case this is a good indication of more to come as the spokes are reaching fatigue limits. A new wheel may be in the near future.

Simonberserker

Buyer says it broke and he removed it. He did not ride on the bike afterwards. The bike has only done around 1200km.

Lemond1985

I would budget around $80 for one of these, to be purchased along with the replacement spoke. This device will allow you to even out the tension on the wheel so that hopefully no more spokes break.



https://www.competitivecyclist.com/p...ion-meter-tm-1

Thomas15

Congratulations new bike owner. It sounds like you have grabbed that tiger by the tail! All that needs to be done is wrestle him to the ground.

shelbyfv

How do you know this? Also the shifting could indicate a problem much worse than a broken spoke. May be more needed than an adjustment.

Simonberserker

The bike can still be bought new from decathlon. For 850 euros.

JohnDThompson 

Not enough description to determine if it would be a good deal or a money-pit. A simple broken spoke is easy to fix — if that's really all it is. Are the other spokes on the verge of failure as well? Is the rim warped beyond redemption? A simple cable tension adjustment will fix many shifting problems, but that might not be the root of the issue. Are the shifters worn out or broken? Are the derailleurs damaged?

Bottom line: how competent are you at diagnosing the problems and fixing them yourself? If it's such an easy fix, why is the current owner selling the bike with those problems unaddressed?

Amt0571

I don't think it's necessary for a single spoke. It's not like he has to rebuild the whole wheel. Just mounting the new spoke and making sure the wheel is straight should be enough,

alcjphil

That does not mean that this one is "worth" 850 euros. Bicycles depreciate fairly quickly and second hand ones do not have any warranty. Given the defects, I would say that 500 euros is too high a price for this bike

Crankycrank

If the bike hasn't been purchased yet a wise move would be to take someone with you that has some bike knowledge. I would be suspicious of someone selling a bike that in the best case scenario would be an easy fix (new spoke, shifting adjustment) that would raise the selling price a bit for the seller. Rim could have a crack at the spoke hole not prominent with spoke removed, shifting just needs adjustment or is something damaged? Could be perfectly fine and an easy fix but it's a gamble unless you have someone with experience to check it out.

andrewclaus

It's likely the broken spoke is on the drive side of the rear wheel. If so, you'll need the tools and skills to remove the rear cassette. The tools are inexpensive and most home mechanics will have them.

And if so, check the rest of the spokes on the outside of that flange for damage from the chain shifting into the spokes. It's easy enough and minimal extra cost to replace multiple spokes. (And that could be a symptom of the shifting problem as well.)

One possible cause of the shifting issue could be a bent rear derailleur hanger. That's another special tool for diagnosis and fix, which most home mechanics don't have.

dedhed

I'd budget $30 for the LBS to replace the spoke, tension and true the wheel.

Pop N Wood

Have to wonder if BF shouldn't have a Ritalin detector attached to the keyboard that would prevent people from posting if their levels are low.

KCT1986

Best advice so far. Someone with a reasonable amount of experience about bike repair will be able to give you a idea of the extent of the problem with the wheel and shifting. They may be able to see if there is anything that is visibly wrong. Not foolproof, but a good step.

icemilkcoffee 

I had a LBS fix a broken spoke on a rear wheel 2 months ago and it was exactly how much they charged. This is in San Jose, CA.

vane171

I'd go to view the bike and see who is selling it. It can be a pointer sometimes. You look at the person, at the place they are selling it from and what their explanation for their selling unfixed bike is (you will hear more lengthy explanation face to face), and you might have your suspicions alleviated or raised. Like if you see a garage with tools, even if they are for car fixing, you know that that's somebody who fixes their stuff to forgo expensive outside service and with such people I'd be more careful.

And having someone with you is always better, even if it is not any bike expert but if it is, so much the better.

TiHabanero

Been wrenching in a bike shop since 1982. My experience with a broken spoke is the same with a deer crossing the road. Where's there one, there are more to come. I guarantee more spokes will break sooner than later. Spoke tension is one thing, but that is unlikely the issue.

grizzly59

When someone says "simple fix", I think "then why didn't you do it?". I think all of the fixes I've done on used bikes ended up about 5x the "simple fix" estimate. Repack hub ends up scored bearing cup so replace wheel, etc. I'm a good wrench so I'm just talking parts. I now offer pretty low and will happily walk away from a bike needing work. 15x estimate for a french bike, in fact I won't even bother with those anymore. Live and learn.

Thomas15

After mulling this thread around for a day I'm starting to smell money pit.

xiaoman1 

OP,
Very hard to evaluate anything without some pictures....
Why not post a few of them?
Best, Ben