i can see where you might wonder about that, but the spokes are completely rusted, compadre. it's a no go on reusing. i got them second hand from an older gentlemen years ago....originally off of a giant perigee. he let them sit out in the elements as with all of his bikes and other parts and they were a bit rusty to begin with. when he gave them to me, i rode them for a little while on a bike i had at the time until a spoke or two started breaking and couldn't true the rims as the nipples were seized. took'em off and barn storage in arkansas humidity had it's way. i like the rims and hubs well enough, though, to try and salvage them inexpensively as i can. am i wrong?