Any problem reusing spokes?
#1
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Any problem reusing spokes?
I've got a wheel with the eyelets separating from the rim and I don't want to risk riding on it. I'm going to buy the same rim and build up the wheel. Is there any problem reusing the spokes from the previous wheel on the new wheel?
Thanks!
Thanks!
#2
Bianchi Goddess


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From: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
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Hello when I was in the business we used to do that often, especially for a medium milage wheel esp for nonracer types. if you have been having issues with spokes breaking too I would consider replacing them. the tricky part might be getting a similar size rim.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#4
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From: Rhode Island (an obscure suburb of Connecticut)
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Some folks say to keep them in their origional orientation, ei-forward leading left side vs after leading left side etc.
On the other hand, I've put a few miles on a total mix and match wheel I built last winter just to see if it would work. No problems yet.
On the other hand, I've put a few miles on a total mix and match wheel I built last winter just to see if it would work. No problems yet.
#5
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From: New Haven, CT area
Bikes: Trek 7.5 Hybrid, Trek 1.1 Road, Holdsworth touring,Raleigh International,Ritchey Commando,Italvega Speciallissimo,et.al.
I would say no problem re-using them, However, some folks say no, replace all spokes. I think that if you are of average weight and height that it will be fine.
#6
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From: Bay Area, Calif.
I've done this a few times when the rim has worn out due to long-term wear of the braking surface. Pretty easy to temporarily tape the new rim to the old one and then move the spokes over one at a time. That way all the orientations are automatically preserved and the spokes remain in any shallow grooves they may have created in the hub flanges.
#7
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From: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
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Just do it...
If there is no spoke damage, just do it. Loosen all spokes on the old wheel and then, one at a time switch each spoke to the new rim. Do not remove any spokes from the hub.
Simply place the new rim along side of the old. Ensure that your valve hole is matched to the old one and then remove a single nipple. Move the spoke into the matching spoke hole on the new rim and thread the old nipple on a wee ways(a few turns). Repeat until all spokes are fitted into the new rim. Now all you have to do is true, dish and stress relieve the wheel.
I have done this many times and without negative incident. If you do discover that there is a spoke breaking issue later on, then that is when you spring for new spokes and do it all again.
Good luck with your project.
Simply place the new rim along side of the old. Ensure that your valve hole is matched to the old one and then remove a single nipple. Move the spoke into the matching spoke hole on the new rim and thread the old nipple on a wee ways(a few turns). Repeat until all spokes are fitted into the new rim. Now all you have to do is true, dish and stress relieve the wheel.
I have done this many times and without negative incident. If you do discover that there is a spoke breaking issue later on, then that is when you spring for new spokes and do it all again.
Good luck with your project.
#8
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From: Virginia
My experience has been that some spokes are just more prone to breakage than others, maybe due to a difference in the type of stainless steel. I've got an original set of wheels where spokes go out on a regular basis, and another set with spokes that have been reused on different hubs/rims for 35 years with no problems whatsoever.
#10
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From: Chattanooga
Bikes: '93 Bridgestone RB-1, '91 Specialized Allez Epic, '85 Raleigh Team Pro, '78 Andre Bertin, early '90s F. Moser Leader AX , '85 Centurion Equipe, '98 Litespeed Tuscany, '89 Klein Quantum, '80 Nishiki Superbe, '83 Peckham, '84 Fuji Opus III







