Pro Connect Disc 8 broken spoke

[RussJ]

Just noticed that I've got a broken spoke on the rear wheel.
50 Cycles are sending me a replacement but I'm not sure how to unhook the hub end of the old spoke.
It looks like all the hub fixings are covered by plastic plates. Do these just pry off to reveal the hole?
The spoke has broken within the nipple so presumably I have to take the tyre off to get at that end?
Its a 24 spoke wheel which if I remember correctly has caused problems in the past but I thought that had been resolved. I hope its just an isolated incident...
Russ

 

[oigoi]

Hi Russ not sure about the hub end of the spoke but the tyre end is straightforward. It could be done without completely removing the tyre and tube but it is easier to get to the tyre end of the spoke if you remove the tyre and tube completely, and the rim tape.

 

[tillson]

Its a 24 spoke wheel which if I remember correctly has caused problems in the past but I thought that had been resolved. I hope its just an isolated incident...Russ

The original 24 spoke wheels were a disaster. Creaking, banging, clicking, spokes braking and other such things. It was very hard / impossible to buy new rims meaning that you had to buy a new hub gear unit once the wheel rims were worn or damaged.

The general opinion seems to be that the latest incarnation of the 24 spoke design doesn't suffer the above problems and I have seen very few complaints posted on here. My bike was altered fro 24 spoke wheels to 32 spoke and I have had no trouble whatsoever since. I don't know what the attraction of the 24 spoke design is. 32 / 36 spokes seem more appropriate for a heavy ebike.

 

[JamesC]

Just noticed that I've got a broken spoke on the rear wheel.
50 Cycles are sending me a replacement but I'm not sure how to unhook the hub end of the old spoke.
It looks like all the hub fixings are covered by plastic plates. Do these just pry off to reveal the hole?
The spoke has broken within the nipple so presumably I have to take the tyre off to get at that end?
Its a 24 spoke wheel which if I remember correctly has caused problems in the past but I thought that had been resolved. I hope its just an isolated incident...
Russ

Hi Russ
Several members, including myself, posted about the Nexus 24 spoke wheel used on the early Pro Connect, but I can't remember any information being posted on the more recent Alfine 24 spoke wheel with disc brake.

I think that your wheel is either the WH-S500 or the WH-S501 with the different codes probably referring to differences INSIDE the hub rather than the wheel itself. The number will be shown on the casing of the hub.

Here are the Shimano Technical Docs for the wheel - Parts List and Service Instruction.

The Service Instruction does not answer your question, but does provide details about spoke tension.

The parts list shows the plastic flange caps that you refer to - Refs 28 and 29.

I have not seen one of these Shimano wheel assemblies, so the following is all guesswork. I would recommend talking to the workshop at 50C or taking the wheel to a bike shop that is a Shimano Centre dealing with the more unusual Shimano items.

From the drawings on SI, it looks as though the hub end of the spoke slides into a groove in the hub rather than threading through a hole in the traditional way.

As you say, the entry to the groove is covered by plastic pieces which are different for the side with the disc and the side with the chain.

Which side is your broken spoke ?

Ref 28 on the side with the disc brake is made up of 6 individual pieces around the wheel, so there is a good chance that a single piece can be unclipped to expose the slot without removing the disc rotor ??

Ref 29 on the side with the chain sprocket looks like a complete circle - again it will just unclip, but I am doubtful that it will slide back enough before meeting the chainguide behind the sprocket. Likely that the Cable Cassette, the Chain Sprocket and the Inner Chain Guide will need to be removed first.

But before doing this, do ask the 50C workshop whether the whole reason for slotting the hub is for quick and easy insertion of a new spoke. It will be great if you can just unclip the plastic cover, slide it back enough to slide out the broken spoke, and slid in the new one.

James

 

[RussJ]

Hi Guys,
Many thanks for your quick responses and useful info.
Sods Law dictates that its a chain side spoke that snapped!

I will have a chat with the workshop before attacking the hub though.
Russ

 

[JamesC]

The original 24 spoke wheels were a disaster. Creaking, banging, clicking, spokes braking and other such things. It was very hard / impossible to buy new rims meaning that you had to buy a new hub gear unit once the wheel rims were worn or damaged.

The general opinion seems to be that the latest incarnation of the 24 spoke design doesn't suffer the above problems and I have seen very few complaints posted on here. My bike was altered fro 24 spoke wheels to 32 spoke and I have had no trouble whatsoever since. I don't know what the attraction of the 24 spoke design is. 32 / 36 spokes seem more appropriate for a heavy ebike.

Hi Tom
On this occasion, it looks as though the parts of the wheel are more readily available - using Petra Cycles search facility on WH-S500, showed rims and spokes are available at Shimano stockists as well as 50C.

Like you, I am not confident that 24 spoke wheels are a good idea on heavier bikes - they seem to lack resilience when going up and down kerbs/potholes with maybe a spare battery on board.

It will be interesting to see whether the newer Alfine wheel has been better engineered for the purpose.

James

 

[JamesC]

Russ

I forgot to mention that the Alfine 8 speed wheel is only unusual in having a special gear casing for the 24 spoke wheel.

The gears are like any other Alfine / Nexus hub.

In particular, the "cassette" where the gear cable meets the hub is the traditional Shimano CJ-8S20.

Shimano provide much more information under the standard Alfine hub (SG-S500 or SG-S501) with respect to adjustments, sprockets etc.

You will find this very useful if you need to take the bits and pieces off the hub.

James

 

[tillson]

Hi Tom
On this occasion, it looks as though the parts of the wheel are more readily available - using Petra Cycles search facility on WH-S500, showed rims and spokes are available at Shimano stockists as well as 50C.

Like you, I am not confident that 24 spoke wheels are a good idea on heavier bikes - they seem to lack resilience when going up and down kerbs/potholes with maybe a spare battery on board.

It will be interesting to see whether the newer Alfine wheel has been better engineered for the purpose.

James

.

Hi James

It gives more confidence knowing that they have spare parts available for this wheel. I don't think that we have seen anything like the number of complaints that we did for the original 24 spoke wheel either, so maybe the indications are better this time?

Perhaps my prior 24 spoke bad experience is colouring my opinion, but I just don't see the point.

Regards

Tom

 

[RussJ]

Just thought I'd post an update...
50 Cycles sent me a replacement spoke as promised (thanks guys) and I fitted it this morning.
The hub fitting was easy. All you have to do is slip a thin screwdriver into the slots around the hub on the chain side. Gently lever outwards working around the hub and the fixing ring will come loose. It then gives enough clearance to pull out the old spoke and insert the new. No need to take the wheel off or remove sprockets etc as I'd feared. Pulled off the tyre near the nipple and lifted the tape to remove old one and fit new. Could have reused the old one if the spoke hadn't broken off flush with the top of the nipple.
Thanks again to everyone for their tips and info.
Russ

 

[WillT]

Hi, I am new but have found this discussion very interesting. I got a Pro Connect Disc in May/June and have had 2 broken spokes in quick succession over the the last 2 weeks. Both rear wheel, sprocket side. I hope this doesn't continue but if it does, I would be interested in knowing how the wheel can be converted to 32 spokes (as posted by tillson). Cheers, Will

 

[tillson]

Hi, I am new but have found this discussion very interesting. I got a Pro Connect Disc in May/June and have had 2 broken spokes in quick succession over the the last 2 weeks. Both rear wheel, sprocket side. I hope this doesn't continue but if it does, I would be interested in knowing how the wheel can be converted to 32 spokes (as posted by tillson). Cheers, Will

Hi Will

To change from 24 to 32 spokes, you need a new 32 spoke hub, a 32 spoke rim and 32 new spokes. In other words, a conversion isn't possible because you have to renew all of the wheel components. If you have an 8 speed hub gear, you will either need a new 32 spoke shell, which I think is nearly impossible to source, or a complete new 32 spoke gear assembly which is expensive.

My 24 spoke PC was only 8 months old when the rear wheel rim wore out, broke spokes and generally creaked and banged. I was invited to throw away my 8 month old 8 speed Nexus hub gear and to purchase a new one to remedy the problem. To me, this wasn't a satisfactory solution, so I wrote one of my best complaining letters and sent it, "sausage side" directly to Derby Cycles. They in turn sent me a couple of new wheels including an Alfine hub gear. This was more than satisfactory, but I think that I may be on their hit list the next time they invade Europe.

I have since done over 7000 miles on the 32 spoke wheel and it has needed no attention whatsoever. I have had the wheels looked at and checked for spoke tension, but no work was needed. To me, going back to the 24 spoke wheel is inviting unnecessary problems. I don't know why they have done it.

On a brighter note, although I have not seen it or used it, the latest 24 spoke wheel is said to be of a better design than the original.

 

[WillT]

My 24 spoke PC was only 8 months old when the rear wheel rim wore out, broke spokes and generally creaked and banged. I was invited to throw away my 8 month old 8 speed Nexus hub gear and to purchase a new one to remedy the problem. To me, this wasn't a satisfactory solution, so I wrote one of my best complaining letters and sent it, "sausage side" directly to Derby Cycles. They in turn sent me a couple of new wheels including an Alfine hub gear. This was more than satisfactory, but I think that I may be on their hit list the next time they invade Europe.

Thanks for that. One supplementary question: did the 32 spoke kit you received have an 8 gear Alfine or the new 11 gear Alfine hub? I haven't come across an 8 gear Alfine hub with 32 holes.

 

[tillson]

Thanks for that. One supplementary question: did the 32 spoke kit you received have an 8 gear Alfine or the new 11 gear Alfine hub? I haven't come across an 8 gear Alfine hub with 32 holes.

It was the 8 speed Alfine. They sent me two complete wheels, front and rear, ready built.

 

[Spinalot]

It was the 8 speed Alfine. They sent me two complete wheels, front and rear, ready built.

Thats very encouraging. Nice to see good customer service!

 

[tillson]

Thats very encouraging. Nice to see good customer service!

Yes it was excellent customer service and far exceeded my expectations. It took a while to get there but worth it in the end.