Do I have to replace the entire wheel if my rear axle is broken on my bicycle?

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dmstewart12

New member
Ok so I have a trek 3700 mountain bike and I bent the rear axle on it while riding a difficult trail last week. I took it to the bike shop and the guy there told me that I would have to replace the whole wheel and would cost $60 to get the same one or I could upgrade or whatever. Is this correct? I just don't understand why I would have to get a whole new wheel if only the axle is messed up. Why can't I just pay a few bucks for a new axle and be done with it?
Thanks for the help!
 
I don't know what hubs you have, but you can generally remove and replace the axle. Axles do break on occasion, especially those used on mountain bikes.

Further thought: Was this shop even a Trek dealer?

Contact Trek for the best answer:
http://www.trekbikes.com/int/en/support/feedback/
 
First off, I doubt that a reputable dealer would try to sell you a new wheel if all you needed was a skewer.

About the only way that I can see that you might need a new wheel, would be because you did some damage to the hub itself when you bent the axle. I suspect that might be the case because a good shop isn't going to replace an axle when they know the hub is damaged because they know it won't fix the problem and you'll be coming back.

Assuming its a reputable shop and you did damage the bearing race in the hub, that would call for a replacement not just the new axle. If the $60 price is beyond your budget, try to find a used rear wheel of the same size and use it. Depending on the wheel you find you might have to change out the cassette but I believe you could locate a used wheel for less than $20.
 
First off, I doubt that a reputable dealer would try to sell you a new wheel if all you needed was a skewer.

About the only way that I can see that you might need a new wheel, would be because you did some damage to the hub itself when you bent the axle. I suspect that might be the case because a good shop isn't going to replace an axle when they know the hub is damaged because they know it won't fix the problem and you'll be coming back.

Assuming its a reputable shop and you did damage the bearing race in the hub, that would call for a replacement not just the new axle. If the $60 price is beyond your budget, try to find a used rear wheel of the same size and use it. Depending on the wheel you find you might have to change out the cassette but I believe you could locate a used wheel for less than $20.
 
Should be a cheap do it yourself repair. You have a bike with a freewheel, so the axle can be replaced easily. Get some cone wrenches, add $ 1.00 for a new axle from your bike shop (bring the pieces in to get the right size). Don't loose the bearings. Clean and regrease the bearings, assemble the old cones on the new axle, and adjust the cones to eliminate play when assembled. I broke one after 3,000 miles and found no problem getting parts.
 
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