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-   -   Spoke cutting services (https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/1104451-spoke-cutting-services.html)

streetstomper 04-15-17 10:44 AM


Originally Posted by nfmisso (Post 19513052)
To the OP: sounds like you have identified a business opportunity. Why don't you purchase a Phil Wood machine and have a go at it? At least work up the business case of what you'd have to charge.

Sounds like you just want to be snarky without helping.

streetstomper 04-15-17 10:50 AM

Never mind, I found a place.

By the way, to all the smart-alecks here who thought $2-3 per spoke is a perfectly fair price, it's a large, established shop (not some small shop that can somehow afford a Phil cutter but is hurting for business) and all they want is 25¢ per spoke.

joejack951 04-15-17 11:22 AM


Originally Posted by streetstomper (Post 19513032)
No, they're not. The only double-butted spokes they have are Sapim Lasers, which go for 70¢ each. That's about $50 for 72, and as trusted as Sapim is, I don't really like the idea of 17 gauge center sections.

I know you no longer care but for the benefit of anyone else reading this thread, Sapim double butted spokes for $0.40 at Dan's: https://www.danscomp.com/products/43...ted_Spoke.html

CliffordK 04-15-17 11:49 AM


Originally Posted by streetstomper (Post 19513047)
Not much of a point. So I should "cut my losses" and throw out over $72 worth of spokes because you think I shouldn't ask around for an affordable cutting service. Not much help.

There is always E-Bay. Never value something above the cost to replace it.

Originally Posted by streetstomper (Post 19513094)
Never mind, I found a place.

By the way, to all the smart-alecks here who thought $2-3 per spoke is a perfectly fair price, it's a large, established shop (not some small shop that can somehow afford a Phil cutter but is hurting for business) and all they want is 25¢ per spoke.

Glad you found a place.
72 spokes at 25¢ = $18. Not bad.

I wouldn't be surprised if many places add in a transaction cost. Perhaps it also depends on whether it is a spoke they are selling or a customer carry-in.

Say, you broke one spoke, and need a matching spoke cut. $3 might be just fine. In your case, for 72 spokes, they wanted to charge you more than many low cost bikes. Once setup, it really shouldn't take skilled labor, a shop should even be able to rent equipment to customers (that they trust). Perhaps the shops hadn't figured out the difference between cutting 2 spokes and 72. Three different lengths? Still, setup should be quick.

Darth Lefty 04-15-17 11:50 AM


Originally Posted by streetstomper (Post 19513032)
No, they're not. The only double-butted spokes they have are Sapim Lasers, which go for 70¢ each. That's about $50 for 72, and as trusted as Sapim is, I don't really like the idea of 17 gauge center sections.

Oops, you're right. I had priced out a single wheel a while back but remembered the $25 and not that it was one wheel.

SquidPuppet 04-15-17 12:07 PM


Originally Posted by streetstomper (Post 19513032)
No, they're not. The only double-butted spokes they have are Sapim Lasers, which go for 70¢ each. That's about $50 for 72, and as trusted as Sapim is, I don't really like the idea of 17 gauge center sections.

Dan's comp carries Sapim Race spokes. 14-15-14 double butted. (2.0-1.8-2.0)

72 all new spokes and 72 all new brass Polyax nipples for $28.80 (.40 ea)

If you want straight 14g you are looking at $18.00.

https://www.danscomp.com/products/43...ted_Spoke.html

https://www.danscomp.com/products/43...14G_Spoke.html

gregf83 04-15-17 03:22 PM


Originally Posted by streetstomper (Post 19513071)
Actual shops disagree. For instance, I don't see anything like a $60 minimum at places like Bicycle Habitat, some of the best known shops in NYC. They charge whatever they think is a fair price for a service.

Repair Menu - bicycle habitat

Not explicit perhaps but I suspect very few work orders written up end up being under $60.

nfmisso 04-15-17 03:35 PM


Originally Posted by streetstomper (Post 19513081)
Sounds like you just want to be snarky without helping.

Not at all. You whined about what people charge to a job; and yet you will not take a small amount of time to understand what it costs them to the job. Businesses need to cover their costs and make a reasonable profit to survive.

Many people have provided you with reasonable alternatives which you refuse to accept.

mtnbke 04-15-17 05:16 PM


Originally Posted by Davet (Post 19512249)
You're not only paying for the spoke cutting, you're paying for the skilled labor to operate the Phil spoke machine which cuts and rolls the threads and costs near 4 grand.


The Phil Wood spoke machine is a nice piece of shop equipment but the notion that most wrenched are "skilled labor" is laughable.

A great indication that a shop is a good bike shop is if they have a Phil Wood or Kowa, Morizumi, Cyclus spoke machine.

It takes about three minutes to train someone how to operate a Phil Wood. Less than ten to show them how to change it from say 14g to 13g or 12g, or to show how to clean it when using powder coated spokes.

Most mechanics at most bike shops are hacks! Skilled labor too funny.

It is true that most shops charge an unreasonable fee to roll spokes you bring in.

To the point it's cost prohibitive. Most folks can't afford a shop quality roller, but paying someone to roll spokes and cut to length will usually almost pay for your own Hozan/Cyclo roller. The heads aren't going to last like Phil Wood, Kowa, or Morizumi dies but they are cheap and replaceable.

There are very few places that will cut/roll spokes cheaper than just buying your own Cyclo/Hozan.

mrrabbit 04-15-17 06:20 PM


Originally Posted by streetstomper (Post 19511967)
Anybody around here with a Phil Wood spoke cutter willing to cut some spokes or know of a reasonably priced service? I've looked around the web, but all I've found are some insane prices for cutting services, charging more to cut a spoke than a brand new spoke. $1.75 to $3 per spoke! Considering it takes a couple of seconds per spoke, that's ridiculous.

.10 each if you're in the South Bay Area of California...San Jose, Milpitas, etc.

=8-)

edthesped 04-15-17 06:44 PM

I've not tried Dan's Comp but have had good luck with Yojimbos Garage on Ebay. Prices are reasonable, selection is wide and service is fast, probably why I haven't tried Dan's Comp...


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