Originally Posted by
mooder
@
FBinNY, so you say, while the wheel is installed on the bike, ....
Little diagram:
This is exactly what I'm
NOT suggesting. line up the damaged spoke/nipple near the fork blade or seat stay. Grab the rim and pull it
SIDEWAYS toward the blade, which will slacken/detension the spoke. Do this only enough so you can turn the nipple, because excessive side deflection can cause the wheel to spring into a potato chip shape.
BTW- if you lack the strength, or if the blade is too far for your one handed grip, you can deflect the rim by way of a tourniquet. Wrap a strip of cloth one turn trapping the blade and rim, with some kind of stick trapped. Twist the stick to tension the loop and slowly pull the rim across until you see the spoke begin to go slack. This method has the advantage of precise control, and is easier to hold while you make the switch.