Recommend me a strong spoke key please!

[mlteenie]

I do regular work as a mobile cycle mechanic and occasionally need to repair or true someone's wheel that is rather the worse for wear.

Yesterday I broke my favourite Spokey tool on a fairly cheap wheel where the spokes had seized - poss due to not being oiled at assembly and now corroded and stiff. This was the second (!) tool to go like this, and were the Pro model with twin metal inserts. They aren't cheap.

So, what I am asking is this - can you recommend me a strong spoke tool? I have the Park one but much prefer the four-sided nipple grip and size of the Spokey, but not the inherent weakness of its plastic.

As always, thanks.

[AndyA]

Ceeway do a full-stainless spoke wrench for 8.99. I don't have one, but it looks well tough

Second bottom of this page
http://www.ceeway.com/best%20quality.htm

[georgew]

The one sold by Alf Webb meets the bill. I believe it's made by "Union" and the one key gives two sizes.
http://www.webbline.co.uk/default.asp?pID=11

The Long-handles spoke key made by "Cyclo" is favourite if you're doing lots of wheels but is hard to find.

[mlteenie]

Thanks, both. Guess what - they are the same tool. If it does two sizes in one (3.25/3.4?) I reckon I am sold. It has the same grip design as the Spokey.

[phil parker]

It's the one I use - bought from Alf Webb about 8 years ago and has built and repaired numerous wheels. I prefer the ergonomics of that shape over any other and of course it is industrial quality and will last for many more years to come.

[RJC]

The one sold by Alf Webb meets the bill. I believe it's made by "Union" and the one key gives two sizes.
http://www.webbline.co.uk/default.asp?pID=11

When you say one key does two sizes, is it double sided or something? On the Ceeway site it only mentions 3.2mm.

DT used to have a metal spoke key. There is a similar one made & sold by Unior (not to be confused with Union).
http://www.uniortools.com/product/spoke-wrench-1630-2p

[Valbrona]

I use a DT one. Hard to find, but worth finding.

[aek]

I use a Pedros Pro spoke key.
It's true that i'm not using it daily, but it's solid.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ped ... rl%20izumi

[NUKe]

Parktool do a 4 sided grip one
Park Tool SW42C

[mlteenie]

The DT one looks like an overpriced Spokey to me - unfortunately that is not strong enough, as per my original posting. The Park one sounds interesting, but at the moment the Ceeway/Webb tool is the one.

Thanks and keep 'em coming!

[tooley92]

I have had no problems with a Madison Spokey, it's been used to build a fair few pairs of wheels in the last 20 odd years.

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... b0s72p1122

Or you could ask 531Colin what he uses

[PW]

Likewise. There's a yellow one by the jig in my loft, been using it since the early 90s I think.

[Erudin]

I use a Pedros Pro spoke key.
It's true that i'm not using it daily, but it's solid.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ped ... rl%20izumi

I like the Pedros, one of the reviews on the link above sums it up nicely:

"As spoke keys go this is probably the best I've used. Has a slot for quick adjustments and the 4-sided slot to grab all faces of the spoke nipple so no chance of rounding it.
Wings on the key used with the 4-sided slot make it very easy to turn very stiff nipples.
Quality metal that will last my lifetime (so long as I don't lose it!)."

Or there is the Park Tool SW20C Master Mechanic Spoke Wrench for those with deeper pockets.

[vorsprung]

If the nipple is really that stiff that it can break a spokey then surely the thing to do is to use an adjustable spanner on it? Loosen it with a huge spanner with more leverage, then work on it with a spoke key

[PW]

If it's that bad I'd cut it and save the tools.