Cycling UK Forum

Hi all,

Quick query to ask if a set of used spokes is worth hanging on to, or whether you always need new spokes to build into a wheel?

Thanks, Ed

If you know the spokes are not fatigued*, re-use them by all means. If there is any doubt, its not worth the risk, in my opinion.

*eg. from a wheel that was properly stress-relieved from new, mileage not excessive. http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=49702&hilit=spokes&start=30

edit need to keep the spokes from the different sides of the flanges separate, as the bend is different.

If you haven't been having problems with broken spokes, and the spokes are the right length for the new hub and rim, there's no reason not to re-use them.
If you are just replacing a worn out rim by a new rim of the same nipple seat diameter, tape the new rim to the old rim and just move the spokes across one by one.

With a new hub, keep the spokes in 4 sets as you take them off (left/right, heads in/heads out) and try to re-use them in the same orientation (including whether the heads in spokes are leading or trailing). If you can't, make sure to stress relieve them properly after initial build.

I find all sorts of uses for old spokes and can't tell you how many little hooks and gadgets I've made out of them, plus all the things around the house that I've mended with a bit of old spoke and Araldite.

I've even re-used a set to build a new wheel. For that I think it depends upon why you discarded the spokes in the first place and whether you build your own wheels. If you do, and if these spokes were no trouble in the wheel you took them out of, I think they're worth re-using. If they should start to break you've lost nothing apart from some of your own time - not that any that I've re-used ever have broken.

But I would not offer a set of used spokes to a paid wheelbuilder, since he pays less for new spokes than you do and new stuff is always nicer to handle; so his heart will not be in the job and he'll blame "your manky old spokes" for anything that goes wrong.

If I strip a wheel with the intention of re-using the spokes I tape them together in batches of 9 (n/s inbound; n/s outbound etc) in order from the valve hole with No1 labelled in the first batch, No2 in the second etc. That way they can go in the new wheel in the order they came out of the old one. If they aren't labelled in my shed then they're scrap for odd jobs as described by CJ.

I reuse them on the same hub, ie simply replacing a rim, but wouldn't personally reuse them on a new hub - largely because I don't want to bother with sorting them into correct order and having to build a wheel with pre-bent spokes and dirty threads, as it's never going to be as easy-going as a wheel built with fresh metal.

They make perfectly usable kebab skewers. If I had loads I'd be tempted to try and weave a handlebar basket or something

Plain gauge used to be popular with railway modellers. Apparently they make good axles for wagons.

A lot of the comments about wheels and wheel building, is for wheels that are going to see a lot of use in possibly harsh conditions. Most wheels, on the other hand will get relatively little use.

I have absolutely no problem with using spokes that I would not fit on my bike, onto my wife's or children's bikes or for that matter a short distance commuter bike. As they will not see enough miles to develop a problem.

My used stainless steel spokes are probably better than most cheap new ones.

Thanks for all these replies. Think given I'm not my own wheelbuilder, these spokes will live on outside my wheels... Cheers, Ed

Essential to scratch skin down inside a plaster of paris!

eileithyia wrote:Essential to scratch skin down inside a plaster of paris!

I managed to find a knitting needles for MrsE. It would be put in a cool place before use, and brought some relief.

I never thought of using spokes as hooks, we do use a few around the garden,

PW wrote:Plain gauge used to be popular with railway modellers. Apparently they make good axles for wagons.

Double butted can make good lamposts with the tapering

Top Tips!

Ideal for shifting the green gunk which builds up in the waste pipe below the bathroom sink plughole!

Stainless?

Grind the threaded end and they are Bar-b-Q skewers.....

Is your girlfriend into S&M?