Pat O'Malley
03-20-02, 06:10 PM
My commuter bike needs a spoke. I can't locate any my size at the numerous LBS's in town. Anybody know where I can get a 105 (ga or diameter, this is a really thick spoke!) 261 mm long? Thanks.
Bicycle Mechanics - Broken spoke
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John E
03-20-02, 08:23 PM
Try Harris Cyclery (sheldonbrown.com).
D*Alex
03-21-02, 05:23 AM
Any bike shop in creation should have "unthreaded" spokes available. They will cut and thread one to your size. You must be checking at "bike boutiques", not actual bike shops.
Pat O'Malley
03-21-02, 07:19 AM
Alex, You assume incorrrectly. I have called only the serious bike shops. So, can you get what I need?
D*Alex
03-21-02, 11:25 AM
If a "serious" bike shop isn't making you the spoke you need, then 1 of the following things is happeneing:
1) they are trying to get rid of you as a customer
2) they don't know $h!t from shinola (and, therefore, are a boutique, not a serious bike shop)
3) your spoke is some weird dimension, possibly from either a low-budget company, or from a strange boutique-wheel.
I once saw a boutiqe-style road wheel that actually had 22 spokes (???!!!), so I wouldn't be surprised if some chinese company is still making spokes from non-standard wire stock.
If #3 is the case, then you will either have to:
a) replace it with a different gauge spoke
b) contact a machine shop, and have them make you a few spokes (this will be expensive)
c) trash-can the wheel, and buy something which actually has common-sized parts.
1) they are trying to get rid of you as a customer
2) they don't know $h!t from shinola (and, therefore, are a boutique, not a serious bike shop)
3) your spoke is some weird dimension, possibly from either a low-budget company, or from a strange boutique-wheel.
I once saw a boutiqe-style road wheel that actually had 22 spokes (???!!!), so I wouldn't be surprised if some chinese company is still making spokes from non-standard wire stock.
If #3 is the case, then you will either have to:
a) replace it with a different gauge spoke
b) contact a machine shop, and have them make you a few spokes (this will be expensive)
c) trash-can the wheel, and buy something which actually has common-sized parts.
--walt--
03-21-02, 12:47 PM
Try some of the older bike shops. The 105 (really .105") was sometimes called 12 guage. They will come in fractional lengths, a 10 1/4" was a common 26 balloon spoke length 30 years ago.
By the way, QC wasn't very good then and the lengths sometimes wandered + or - an 1/8". You'll notice how long the spoke nipples are.
If all else fails, check with a store that specializes in down-hill. DT makes a 13-15-14 spoke, but you'll need a washer to keep the .80 spoke nipple (14 ga.=2.0mm=.80", at least in bike language) from pulling through.
Now that I think about it, this should be a popular size among the classic cruiser collector crowd. Maybe a swap meet or one of their websites would help.
By the way, QC wasn't very good then and the lengths sometimes wandered + or - an 1/8". You'll notice how long the spoke nipples are.
If all else fails, check with a store that specializes in down-hill. DT makes a 13-15-14 spoke, but you'll need a washer to keep the .80 spoke nipple (14 ga.=2.0mm=.80", at least in bike language) from pulling through.
Now that I think about it, this should be a popular size among the classic cruiser collector crowd. Maybe a swap meet or one of their websites would help.
Pat O'Malley
03-21-02, 05:30 PM
Thanks John and walt for the help. I contacted Sheldon Brown and although he didnt have the exact gauge he offered an alternative. But I got lucky today and got exactly what I needed from a guy who has a mobile bike shop. He has everything,even 105 spokes,plus a big freindly dog,all in a bus. I think this mighty search ( I called nearly every bike shop in town) has not only given me my spoke, but a good mechanic for future needs too.