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Steel Spoke Failure

From http://piaw.blogspot.com/2016/03/borken-spoke.html as of 2016/03/27.

Failure detected via a "twang" sound followed by rattling. Spoke was removed and ride resumed.

The spoke was Wheelsmith brand from early-mid 2000s, 292 mm long, 1.8/1.6/1.8 (butted). Brass nipples.

Used about 50,000 kms in a 36-spoke 700C front wheel with a Velocity Aerohead rim and typical flange spacing. Spokes were stress-relieved when the wheel was built.

Bike plus rider weight 70-75 kgf.

The spoke is protruding through the head of the nipple. No threads were visible on the broken part of the spoke. It may be the nipple has was on until the threads started to bind, and thus the spoke may have been somewhat twisted as a result.