Originally Posted by
CliffordK
I've had a pile of grab-bag spokes that I had previously removed from wheels. Different lengths, different diameters... I built a wheel using them quite a while ago. What a mess that was
Never again.
If the spokes were relatively new, and STAINLESS, and fit the new rim, then I'd probably re-use them if it was just unbuilding one wheel and building a new one.
I would not bother reusing galvanized spokes. It would also depend on whether you're wishing to use something like double butted spokes, and what the originals are.
I'm now breaking spokes on my front wheel of unknown age and history (36h, straight generic spokes). Now broke 3 outbound spokes (15 left to go). It appears as if the heads are not well seated. Anyway, I'd be more reluctant to reuse generic spokes than name-brand spokes (DT, etc).
I never even thought to look at the quality and material of my old spokes. If they turn out to be generic, low-grade crap, then I'll replace them.
For those keeping score, I have a Surly Krampus with 50mm Rabbit Hole rims. I've decided to replace the SRAM hub with a Shutter Precision PD-8. Since I've never done this, I looked at specs for my wheel and hub. The Surly website says that my rim is compatible with 32 hole hubs. The SRAM hub has a QR...something or other, and a 100mm o.l.d. I don't even know what those numbers mean, but they appear to be the same on both hubs.
So the spokes are going to come out of the wheel and then go back in. Well, ideally. If I mess it all up I might end up back at the bike shop anyway.