Bicycle Mechanics - installing spokes

could anybody help me with installing spokes somehow. like is there a easy way to do it or something?>

thanks.

also heres a question about diamond backs, is the diamond assault bike made for dirt or street?

ThAnks dudes and dudettes

1) The easiest way to install a new spoke is first to buy one with the same diameter, length, and threading as the one you are replacing. Remove the cogset or freewheel if working on the drive side of the rear wheel. Thread the new spoke through the hole in the hub, consistent with the alternating in-out pattern established by the remaining spokes. Cross the shaft of the spoke over a nearby spoke, again consistently with the prevailing pattern, then push the threaded end of the spoke onto the old nipple. Hand-tighten the nipple to bring the spoke to light tension, then get out the spoke wrench and tighten the spoke until the rim runs true.

2) Any bike that can handle dirt can handle the street just fine, although you may want to substitute smoother, higher-pressure tyres for a smoother, faster, more efficient ride.

Thanks for the advice John! I am going to attempt to replace spokes soon. But I have some questions. (1) Is it preferable to use the old nipple or can I use a new one? (2) Do I ever tighten the spoke or nipple from the top of the nipple in the rim--or is all tightening done with a spoke wrench?

Thanks

If the flats on the nipple have been rounded by clumsy use of a spoke wrench or the wrong size wrench, you will have to use a new nipple. If you have to take the tire and rim strip off for any other reason, or are building a wheel from scratch you can use a screw drived on the top of the nipples. The spoke tension numbers given in the Park tool site are for a wheel without inflated tire - inflating the tire reduces the tension. For adjusting spokes people usually leave the tire on and use a spoke wrench

Actually, I find it much easier to remove the cassette regardless which side of the hub I'm replacing a rear spoke. If the spoke head is on the inside of the hub flange, count your blessings. You can poke the spoke through with minimum bending. If the spoke head is going to be on the outside of the hub flange, you'll have to do a lot of bending to get the spoke where it needs to go. Don't worry excessively, you'll pull it back straight when you tension the new spoke.

I always use a new nipple with a new spoke. I use a screwdriver from the the outside of the rim to snug up the nipple as far as I can before using a spoke wrench to finish up.