Hi,
Is there a way to remove the bike rear wheel cassette without using specialized tools? I have a broken spoke that needs to be replaced. The bike shop wants to charge ~$50 to replace it. I was wondering if this is something that can be done easily. I have watched a few videos and they mention some sort of wheel locking nut.
I am still trying to understand all this. Any suggestions?
Ta. Looks like I will need to buy one for Shimano, or are there some generic types I can use?
If you're never going to do it again and arent interested in changing cassettes etc - Id just pay the $50 to get the professionals to do it.
You'll also have to replace the spoke, tension it correctly. Ensure that the wheel is running true….it's not a matter of just slap a new spoke in.
$50 seems a lot to pop one spoke in. Try somewhere else.
$50 to replace one spoke is a rip off.
I was previously charged, as recently as last year, $15 for labour and $2-5 for the spoke and nipple (depending on which type).
I am in Perth.
This includes truing the wheel.
That's a great deal!
The chain whip and tool are cheapish… as example https://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/bikehand-cassette-shimano…
I never would've used it but now that I have it, I use it often to clean the hub and cassette. As for replacing the spoke, get the shop to do it if you have no experience.
Is there a way to remove the bike rear wheel cassette without using specialized tools?
I didn't know Specialized made chain whips?
Joking aside, I would get a bike shop to fix it. You don't want to be messing with the spokes when you have no experience with them. There's a lot more to it than just replacing it.
$50 is pricey. Shop around and get a better deal, but that said, I would get a shop to do it. It's a fiddly job that does require some specific gear. I had one done a while ago for about $30. Yeah, it probably takes them all of ten minutes to do it, but then it's just done and you're not stuffing around not really knowing what you're doing.
Thanks guys/gals. I will enquire at a few more shops and try to get a better deal.
Buy the cassette removal tool, should be able to get one under $20, even in a shop.
You can get away with a diy chain whip. I used a piece of rag wrapped around the cassette a few times. Alternatively a piece of chain wrapped around and secured in a vice. Wind the wheel onto the chain up under the vice til it jams.
One spoke gone, there’s a good chance more will go over time.
Most things on a bike are fairly simple to maintain and repair. Learning to DIY will save you a lot.
Agree with learning to do it yourself. As other said you will need the cassette tool, but can use a piece of old chain or rag.
Truing a wheel is a very good skill to have and really not that hard once you get the hang of it. There are plenty or youtube videos
spoke replacements (for standard spokes not the specialised race wheel ones) should be ~$30-$35 + spoke cost. The tools you'll need is a cassette lockring removal tool and chain whip. These will set you back ~$40-$50 depending on quality. + $10-$15 for a spoke key (however if this is a uniquely designed spoke such as some mavics, fulcrums, campagnolo, shimano wheels then it will need a unique spoke key.)
1 youtube video later and you should be right
The bike shop probably intends to true the wheel hence the price. That being said it'll end up costing you more to do yourself especially if you have no experience in bike repair.
It shouldn’t end up costing more, unless you screw it up, which is unlikely. The tools to do the job should cost around the same as getting it done at a shop. This means any subsequent repair will cost the price of a spoke - a couple of bucks.
It's true it will cost around the same as getting it done at a shop who will probably also make sure the wheel is true which you can't do without more tools.
Easier just to pay someone than waste your own time when it costs the same and you get more service than you can do yourself.
Even I wouldn't bother doing spokes myself and I do most repairs and servicing on my own bike.
Everyone is different I guess. A spoke tool is pretty cheap.
I also do most repairs on my bikes, and friend’s and family’s too. Spoke replacement was one of the earlier things I learnt to do along with truing a wheel. You have to learn when ridinng off road. It’s not hard with a bit of patience.
It’s a smart thing to learn as often a broken spoke will be the first of a few.
FWIW Aldi often sell a bike tool kit for around $40. You can get similar ones online for similar price. It’ll give you most of the tools you’ll need to completely rebuild a bike. They aren’t fantastic quality, but will get you started. Can then replace tools with quality as you find you need them.
Thanks all. I managed to replace the spoke with a bit of help from YouTube. Also, noticed there was a bit of wobble in the wheel, managed to fix that as well.
you'll need a chain whip and a cassette locking tool and potentially a spanner if the locking tool doesnt have a lever.