On 1 Aug, 19:14, Jim K wrote:
Rear 12" wheel lost a spoke somehow

So is it worth messing to fix it and how?

Broadly, yes.

The information on bike spokes is:

* Jobst Brandt's book on the topic. More theory than you ever wanted
to know, or even realised was possible. Not great on simple
instructions though.

* Sheldon Brown's website. Just follow the instructions, it's
everything you actually _need_ on truing, strain relieving and
building wheels from scratch. You won't understand things as you might
with Jobst, but you'll get the job done.

* Google for a spoke length calculator. Or do it yourself, as it's not
terribly hard with a bit of Excel.

For tools you need a good spoke key - Spokey looks like cheap rubbish,
but they're the best I've found. Basic bike tools, and good quality
spokes. DT double butted stainless are under a quid from any shop
(cheaper mail order in sets), and they don't give you any grief. Any
decent bike shop carries spokes (otherwise QED, you're probably in a
Halfords)

You also need a wheel truing stand. In extremis, just turn the bike
over and tape the chain and brakes out of the way. Running your thumb
nail on the rim is accurate enough - touch is better than sight for
this.

Measuring is tricky, and you need to do this before calculating spoke
length. You need hub, rim and wheel offset details. Read Sheldon.

Building and truing is then pretty easy. Make sure you strain relieve
properly (Sheldon), it's the difference between good & bad finished
wheels.


Bike is a Raleigh bought new -- can't say I'm impressed.....I reckon
it's only done 2 or 3 miles ever

Try Edinburgh Bicycle for halfway decent kids bikes.