Archie knox

Hello, everyone
Recently I fall in the necessity of change some broke spokes of my 26" wheel bike, and notice that I didn't not have any spare at all, and for make the things difficult remembering that some time ago I changed some but fail cause I never match the original thickness of the spokes, I must confess that my knowledge about spokes has been just basic measure and change, period, but as usual the necessity always seems to appear and more than ever, so checking and gathering some information and become more in deep, now know that there is a thickness, length, material and precision with tension, I get notice that there is a chance to reuse some spokes from a 27" wheel that is just falling around and with no really future use, only thing just cutting and threaded and in my "theory" seems just easy as that, so checking on the world wide web, I found this in action through you tube videos seems quite easy, but it is??, nice machine somehow expensive but could be nice to have, but asking something that I couldn't find in any video, what kind of advises can you give me, I really want to know cause I am a user and changed in regular basis spokes from my two bikes 27" and 26", I broke some spokes cause I use airless inner tubes and unfortunately the roads at my community are in very sad condition most the time are compare like stairs one crack every six feet and since I use my bikes not only as recreational but as a tool, so most the time I carry something over 20 to 30 pounds at least besides my 195 pounds , so go figure all that pressure along with the bad condition of the road, cracks everywhere and not pneumatic inner tubes is reasonable that from time to time the spokes tend to bend and brake but again what else I need to know, oh, by the way I just recently bought a ruler that I think can help my to identified some spoke thickness
and well I am still waiting for it, there is another with better information and may be quality from VARTOOL but unfortunately couldn't find here In America continent seems to only be sale in Europe, so the price is somehow out of my budget very nice tool, but again couldn't find it, anyway before to do anything else I was really thinking to start to do it my own threading since I have a some spokes which never match the necessary size, but again I would appreciate any advise and commentary that helps in this interesting trade.
Please and thank you

cb400bill

Moved form Introductions to Bicycle Mechanics

pdlamb

Spoke threading machines are really neat tools, so if you're a toolie, you'll want one.

They can be very useful.

They definitely are very expensive.

If you go to your LBS, you can probably buy all the spokes you need for $2 apiece or less. Unless you're setting up a wheelbuilding business, and can't or don't want to stock the necessary spoke lengths, that very nice tool isn't economical.

fietsbob

Hozan keeps rolling in thread as long as you turn the handle .. you can overdo it.

HillRider

Unless you are running a wheel building business owning a spoke threader is a very poor use of your money. You can buy spokes in the right length and thickness for much, much less money unless you need hundreds of them.

Retro Grouch 

The last spokes I bought were from Dan's Comp. I think they were $0.35 each for stainless steel straight gauge including nipples. Regular shipping only takes 2 days to my house in St Louis. That's pretty hard to beat. You have to order them by telephone - no internet orders for spokes. I think they want to be sure that you know the exact length that you need.

Archie knox

wow!! that's really nice affordable price for spokes, unfortunately I didn't mention that my local bike shop "shark" sells 80 cents to one dollar piece!!!!, why? well hard to tell, that's the main reason that I've learned to make my own repairs

Archie knox

true

randomgear

80-1.00 a piece for spokes is standard at a shop. Your local bike shop has to stock them and there are many, many lengths for each size of wheel plus straight gauge and butted plus ovalized and bladed spokes. Not to mention straight-pull and other boutique spoke styles. Your LBS will typically have left overs when they custom order spokes of a certain length for you if they don't have them in stock.
In more simple terms, lots of overhead and little turn over for spoke sales.

Archie knox

Is that how is call?? toolie? I though I was a tool hoarder, I always like to be prepare "one never knows" however you right, thank you for your advise