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Answer:
Unless you get something caught in the wheel, spokes usually snap because of (metal) fatigue rather than overload. Fatigue is something that can set in when a part sees a load that comes and goes over and over again. And that's what happen to every spoke in a bicycle wheel every time it passes between the hub and the ground.
The way to avoid this is to have the spokes decently tight. With tighter spokes, the (proportional) change in tension that happens when the spokes pass between hub and ground gets smaller, which keeps fatigue from setting in. For front wheels and single-speed and internally geared hubs it's usually not a problem. But bikes with external gears can't use the same spoke tension left and righ on the rear wheels, which make them particularly prone to fatigue.
Trouble is, if your spokes were under tensioned from the start, then they've all collected fatigue, so once they start popping, they'll keep popping. No fix for it apart from replacing them all, or getting a new wheel, making sure it's properly tensioned before you start riding it.
Sometimes, if your bike gets exposed to certain chemicals, it can cause embrittlement. And sometimes you do get a bad batch of spokes, but poor tension is the far most usual culprit.
If they're snapping at the spoke hole at the hub, maybe the problem is there.
J-bend spokes needs to have as much as possible of the bent section supported by the hub flange. If the bent section of the spoke is longer than usual, or if the hub flange is thinner than usual, the bent section won't be properly supported. It'll flex and fail.
Hubs are typically drilled with counter-sunk holes to accomodate the spoke head. If the wheel was built with the spokes all one hole off, the heads would pop off from the sharp edge of the spoke hole in the hub flange.
This is true with many rims too. Spoke holes are often staggered to be closer to the hub flange the spoke is coming from. If the spokes are one hole off, the odd angle of the spoke nipple can introduce stress and break the spoke.
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∙ 10y ago
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Is it bad if you have rusty spokes on your bike?
A little isn't much to worry about, but if they keep rusting they can eventually snap off.
An old fashioned bike wheel has 21 spokes How many spaces are between the spokes?
A wheel with 10 spokes will have 10 spaces between the spokes.
What do you need spokes for on a bike?
hold tire in place
How many spokes are there to children bicycle?
That would differ from one bike to another. A really small bike with maybe 12" wheels will have fewer spokes than a bike with 20" wheels. Say between 24 and 36.
How to fix broken bike spokes?
adjust the bike and us tools to structure it
Are spokes on motorbikes?
Yes there are they are of a stronger metal than a push bike.
Can you paint the spokes of your bike with any paint?
Well, water colors, no; any can of paint, sure. Clean and scuff spokes for max adherence.
What does fos on road signs mean?
Folks On Spokes. It's a bike trail.
What is the most aerodynamic bike wheel?
the bike wheel has three spokes and the idea came from air foils on a space shuttle
How do you make your bike click?
There are a number of ways in which you could make your bike click. You could add a card to the spokes for example.
How do you tighten spokes on a ATV?
you cant tighten spokes on an ATV, they have solid aluminum or steel rims. but you can tighten spokes on a dirt bike by getting a spoke wrench and tightening the nipple at the end of the spoke closest to the rim.
How many spokes are on a average bike tire?
The tire is only the rubbery part on the outside, and it hasn't got any spokes. The wheel (which also includes hub and rim) has spokes, usually 36 of them but other numbers are possible.
