I replaced a rear wheel on my road bike today. The old one got some cracks and the rim is shot.

I can see some uses for the old spokes as pokers, probes, etc. I guess I could look into building another wheel with the hub and the spokes too, but i'm not in to that.

What are some other possible uses for a rear hub and spokes? it's an ALX wheel that was OEM on the bike . . .

looking for a reason to not just throw it out, or take it to the bike co-op ....

ideas?

Coat hangers!

+1 - I love it!

Got a baby? Use it as the basis of a free spinning mobile over the crib or playpen. Hang all kinds of bright colorful stuff to keep the child fascinated for hours.

BTW- be sure to hang it securely, and don't tell your wife i suggested it, if it falls.

Need more creative and artistic uses of old bike parts! A lady around here makes wallets, bags and purses from old inner tubes and tires.

I built a windmill out of a rear wheel that turned up in my front yard. The vanes are plastic (they could be riveted aluminum from beer cans if you like) and it's topped with a motor home hub cap (also found on the road), but it looks cool. It's in the wrong spot to catch much wind, though- it barely spins.

Either the complete hubs or just the axle, cones, locknuts and qr skewer can be used as a "travel axles" to protect the dropouts of the bike frame and fork when the wheels are removed. I use these when packing an S&S coupled bike in it's case or when a bike is carried in the back or trunk of a car and the wheels have to be removed to make it fit.

Use the rear hub with a worn out cassette or freewheel to hold the chain for cleaning or other bike repairs while the rear wheel is removed. That keeps the chain from scratching the stays and keeps cleaning solvent out of the bearings and off the rim of your wheel.

Bend a section of a 6" piece of a spoke into a shallow U-shape and then bend the ends inward to make a chain holding tool that keeps the chain ends in place while you insert the joining pin or master link

Good stuff everyone!

I like HillRider's suggestion for an insert with the cassette still on it . . .. .

I like all of the suggestions in fact.
Thanks

I broke my hand a of couple years ago and used a spare spoke to scratch underneath the cast. It worked great!

Bwahaha that's awesome! I'd be so much more aero hanging my clothes up...

The best part is that one rim will make you at least 4 coat hangers!

There's enough old rusty hubs around that getting one to take apart for a transport chain holder shouldn't be a problem. On the other hand if the hub on this wheel is in good condition it's a shame to not let it carry someone else around for a few more years. I say take it to the Co-Op and just get a really cheap and rusty hub for a transport hub if you like that idea.

love it.

Pot rack.

Gut the hub shell and install an electric clock in it. Attach lengths of blades from venetian blinds cut to length for hands. Hang in garage or basement because your wife will hate it.

Very clever!

I thought so, too. (I can't take credit for the idea -- I just stumbled across it on the web.)

Jersey rack:



Well, that one is about 30 feet in diameter, hanging from the ceiling here: https://www.bortolami.com/index.htm

in my city, we have scrapper trucks that roam alleyways looking for scrap metal. I leave busted up metal stuff for them.

Pot rack is one I could actually use. Think I'll remove a few spokes and drill out holes a bit for the hooks, though, so I can make the hooks more secure. Or maybe just drill additional holes between spokes for the hooks.

Great find Skydog!