Lost spoke on rear wheel mid trip, keep riding or what?

[rfulcher]

I am in the NC mountains 300 miles from home. I found a loose spoke with a missing nipple on the rear wheel. By luck I spotted that the spoke was missing the nipple in the parking lot. The spoke is bent and the nipple lost but no other damage. Can I ride with one missing spoke safely? I assume I should check and snug the other spokes but should be fine to ride pavement tomorrow and sunday?

 

[imcja]

How many miles on bike? Have you ever tightened the spokes or had them tightened? Should be able to cover 300 without issue. If you verify all others are tight.


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[Dogdaze]

Ride on, you should be fine, check the others as you said, also, if available zip tie the spokes where they intersect, not too tight, just to stop them flailing if they come loose and keeps them in their position.

 

[Jeff Milleman]

Same thing happen to me , checked all the other spokes and off i went.. no problem.. Ive got a spoke if you need one ! Is it long or short?

 

[rfulcher]

I checked the spokes and found 2 loose. Tightened those spokes and rode 200 miles today. I will return home tomorrow, another 300 miles. I will start to track down spoke and nipple tomorrow evening. Jeff M, thanks for the offer.

 

[rfulcher]

I finished the trip today without any further problems. The missing spoke inserts thru the rim from the right and into the outer, left most, hole of the hub. The threaded end of the spoke points in the direction of wheel rotation. What length spoke would this be?

The nipple loosened and was lost at approximately 26,000 miles. The spokes were supposedly checked about 1,000 miles ago when the shop replaced the tire. I will personally check the spokes regularly from now on.

Jeff M., do you still have extra spokes? If you do I will PM you with details.

Thanks,

Ross

 

[Jeff Milleman]

Yes I do , Ill just send 1 of each , there are just 2 size's pm me with your address and Ill get them to you asap.