Originally Posted by
Dampcookie
FBinNY, I've never put any really large stresses on the wheels, mostly gravel trails and roads, but the brake wear has taken its toll. The rims are dished in on the tracks and the rear one has a (kinda scary) bulge somewhat. I'm planning a 2 week tour, so I would really prefer if I didn't have to worry about the rims (which may defeat my spoke comment!).
I understand your desire to save dough by reusing the spokes, but it's false economy. By any measure these spokes have to be nearing the end of their service life, and the last thing you want to do is start a trip with spokes nearing the end of their life cycle. You're planning a trip and shouldn't sabotage yourself by pinching pennies here. Figure the added dough against the total trip budget, and the difference wheel problems can cause, and you'll see my point. Stay at cheaper motels a night or two to make up the added cost.
Also Spokes, especially plain gauge (which I very rarely use), shouldn't be $1.00 each, so consider buying them online. Get top end spokes DT, Wheelsmith or another proven SS spoke (butted is worth the difference) and do the job right. Or if the existing wheels don't seem in imminent danger, keep them for the trip and replace them afterward, when they go.