Voltbike Urban backwheel spokes falling apart, looking for shop in Montreal

[Christian Boutin]

I accidentally broke a backwheel spoke on my Voltbike, thought I could continue using it but since then further spokes have broken. I've tried bringing it to two different shops in the Montreal area and was swiftly told that they didn't touch these bikes.

I could order spokes online (EBR marks them as "13G spokes", not sure how/where to buy) and replace them but I have no equipment to balance the wheel.

Ideally if anyone knows of a shop in Montreal that would fix that broken wheel. Other than that, a place to order spokes online from Canada? Thanks!

 

[AguassissiM]

@Christian Boutin you can try and see if Benoit from @Teo fat bike is willing to give you a helping hand or perhaps @america94 has an idea and will chime in.

 

[harryS]

I can see where shops won't touch the bikes. You have to be careful with the motor wires all the time. They'll have to learn though.

When I was 10 years old, I tried to true a warped wheel and failed miserably. Loosened all the spokes and tightened them back and it was worse. I cried and cried. There was no youtube then to tell me how to do it methodically or that I needed a spoke wrench. 56 years later, I finally learned how to do what the guys in the bike shops can do, thanks to the internet.

Hate to say it, but 13G spokes are harder to keep tuned, which is why some user knowledge in keeping the spokes in good tension is worth having even if you have it replaced at a shop.

Besides the $5 spoke wrench, I just turn my bikes upside down and I have a stand. If you remove the tire and tape a piece of paper across the frame, you can mark the center, and also the rim width and you have your target.

 

[Christian Boutin]

Removing the wire and wheel is really simple, I did it before to change the tire. And I've watched videos about replacing the spokes and I could maybe give it a shot. But balancing the wheel does appear out of my skill range, and I live in a tiny condo so I don't have much room to set aside for that.

 

[rich c]

Also check to see if there is a bike co-op. I'm from Peoria, IL and we have a co-op that gives you free stand time and assistance with a yearly membership. They have a wall full of tools, used and new parts, wheel stands, and lots of rebuilt old bikes. It's a wonderful place.

 

[jazz]

2nd Velofix. Have used them locally where I live. Convenient and reasonable.