patgoral

Is this possible? I have a customer's bike and I need to replace one spoke with a 258 straight pull spoke these are the wheels https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...jsp?spid=39580 He has a 24 hour race this weekend and there is no way to get the specific spoke in before then, is it possible to use a standard spoke?

operator

Don't do it.

Lend him a spare wheel if you really feel like it.

jccaclimber

It's not going to hold. I'm not sure how long it will take before it fails, but it will fail, and I doubt it will take that long. Which spoke is it? If it's one of the ones with threads on both ends you can just have another area shop cut one, if it's the non disc side front where it actually has a flat head, you might be hosed. If you can go the fast shipping route you've got another hour or two before last call at QBP, they might have a strait pull spoke from another brand. If not, I'd do as Operator advised and consider loaning him another wheel.

Edit: QBP does have some Fulcrum strait pull spokes, you might be able to get one of them to work.

HillRider

I assume the spoke has a standard head on one end but it's straight instead of "elbowed". I presume you could straighten out the elbow and try to fit the now straight spoke into the rim. I have no idea how long it will last but it's worth a try.

patgoral

That is what I was going to do.

DannoXYZ 

That certainly sounds dangerous...

clancy98

if it was all of the spokes, I'd be worried. Maybe one of them, I would limp it. But thats just me!

cbchess

loan him a wheel and fix it the right way! not the half assed jury rigged way

patgoral

I totally agree. I just don't feel like spending 50 bucks for a box of spokes that we will NEVER use again. Is there anyway to get just one spoke from the manufacturer?

DannoXYZ 

Sure, give them a call. Last I checked, numerous distributors carried straight-head spokes and can send it with your regular weekly parts & supplies order.

When I worked in a shop, that was part of the cost of doing business. Fix it right by ordering the proper spokes. Whether you'll use it later or not is a future event that has no impact on doing it right this time. You may very well gain a new customer through good PR rather than killing one by monkeying around to save a couple bucks.

jccaclimber

I found sleeve of those spokes (not sure what length), packing my apartment yesterday. I'm willing to sell you one, but you're going to have to wait a week for me to find the box so calling the manufacturer is probably faster.

operator

FFS I'll send you a straight pull spoke. We have about 9999999999x10e10 of them in stock and have a phil spoke machien to cut them to length.