Conference noted::bicycle

    ride it home, then true it.
    
    If you carry a spoke wrench you might be able to help a little
    but you really can ride a on wheel with a few broken spokes if
    you open up hte brakes a little.
    
    ed

>>    What do you do about broken spokes on the road?

I remove the end from the nipple and see if I can get the hub end off. If its
on the freewheel side of the wheel I just twist it around another spoke to keep
it from whacking the dropout or chainstay. Then ride home with the brake
release open. Not the best way but it works.

Tom    
    

    What you did (and what others have suggested) is fine for
    most situations.  You had a spoke wrench for truing the wheel?
    
    Touring, it really makes sense to carry spokes.  Depending on
    the break, many a spoke can be replaced with just the spoke wrench.
    (You can generally get by without removing the tire or tube; just
    leave the nipple in place.)
    
    At one point I started carrying a freewheel remover, plus a 
    tool about the same size that fits on to said remover, and which
    allows you to use the leverage of "natural occurring" objects
    (such as guardrails, signposts, etc.) to get the freewheel off.
    Schwinn made mine.  Not sure if there are other brands.
    
    	-john

    I thought I read something about an "emergency" spoke that had a
    different hub end?  Instead of the normal end, this spoke was either J
    or S shaped so it could be inserted through the hub without a lot of 
    fiddling...
    
    Or am I completely off the wall again?

> I thought I read something about an "emergency" spoke that had a different 
> hub end?  

	Some blade spokes (flat spokes for aerodynamics) have bent ends
	instead of heads because they are too wide to be threaded through
	the hub holes.  These would be good for emergency replacement.

	I can't remember any regular spokes with this feature... It would
	be a rather small market: Emergency spokes.  I wonder if you
	could make some by getting extra-long spokes and bending them?

>	Some blade spokes (flat spokes for aerodynamics) have bent ends
>	instead of heads because they are too wide to be threaded through
>	the hub holes.  These would be good for emergency replacement.

    
    Does this mean that you could replace a spoke on the freewheel side
    without removing the freewheel?
    
    For some reason I thought the "hooks" on these were a little to
    long for that.
    
    	-Nancy

    The tool  that fits onto the freewheel remover is called a "pocket
    vise"  I've  seen  them  for Shimano and Suntour freewheel pullers
    (and yes, they are different sizes). REI carries them for Shimano,
    The  Third  Hand  carries  them  for  both.  I don't know who else
    carries  them,  but  check  Nashbar and Performance. (I think they
    only carry the Suntour one, but that's a hazy recollection.)

    You need  a  strong  "naturally occuring" object. The round street
    sign posts are a bit too big in diameter, but the ones shaped like
    this:

		__    __
		  \__/

    work fine.  I  broke  the handle on a toilet plunger trying to use
    it.  I'm  told  that you can use the horizontal part of your stem,
    but I've never tried that. (No guts, and I would have to remove my
    Cateye first.)

--David

With respect to David's comment on a pocket vise (.7):

A regular old guard rail works real well.  The top of it is thin
and strong, gives good leverage.  Its being horozontal is also
a big help.

	~Mike

    This may sound crazy but I and others have used it and it works.
    
    If you don't have any tools with you, remove the wheel and holding
    it firmly in front of you apply pressure (a lot of !) with your
    knee to the buckle caused by the missing spoke. It does work, though
    you may have to repeat it a few times to get home.  
    
    For emergencies only !
    
    John

re. 1299.7                       
>    The tool  that fits onto the freewheel remover is called a "pocket
>    vise"  I've  seen  them  for Shimano and Suntour freewheel pullers
    
    	You can get away with purchasing a *single* pocket vise to fit
    both Shimano and Suntour if you buy the Suntour model and then file
    two sides of your Shimano freewheel tool to fit the smaller Suntour
    opening in the pocket vise.  I was quite proud of the fact that I
    was able to complete a long ride once after breaking a spoke under
    the freewheel since I use to keep three spare spokes tied to the under
    side of my pack rack.  Since I'm doing shorter rides this year I'm
    no longer carrying the pocket vise, freewheel tool or spare spokes,
    not because of weight but I can't see putting a large bag on my bike
    to carry this stuff when I'm never really that far from home. 
    Definately worth the effort and the price (about $10 total) if your
    into touring or long distance day trips though.
    
    							_Jerry

    Re .0: 
    
    I think your solution of trueing the wheel on the spot is best. A spoke
    wrench is a tiny thing to carry, and a trued 31-spoke wheel will last
    indefinitely, especially if not loaded heavily. 
    
    
    Re .4:
    
    The Freewheel catalogue this year (here in the UK) lists an emergency
    spoke made out of multi-strand wire. I think it's adjustable for length
    and has a hooked end so that it can go on the freewheel side without
    removing the freewheel.
    
    
    Re .9:
    
    I don't like the sound of this at all - surely you are putting an
    actual bend on the rim that would persist even if you disassembled the
    wheel? And won't the wheel will have badly uneven spoke tensions even
    after you replace the spoke?
    
    
    Rod
       

This talk about broken spokes must of jinxed me. Coming in this morning I broke
one. I was sprinting to catch up to a school bus so I could draft it and as I
was sprinting I ran over a patch job, bump of tar and TWANG! Well I opened my
brakes wrapped the loose spoke around its neighbor and off I went. It was not a
*good* fix but it did get me to were I was going. I did take it easy when I
accelerated and wet over bumps, to keep from having another spoke break.

I think I'll get some TRI spoke wheels ;-)

Tom

    	RE: 12
    
    	But Tom, just think what kinda fix you'd be in if you broke
    	one of those spokes. 8-)>
    
    	36 > 3
    
    	Scott