Copper Spokes
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 790
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From: Plano, TX
Bikes: 1968 Falcon San Remo 1973 Raleigh International, 1974 Schwinn Suburban, 1987 Schwinn High Sierra, 1992 Univega Ultraleggera, 2007 Dahon Vitesse DH7G
Copper Spokes
Anyone know where I can get copper spokes for a 27" wheel?
I have googled, and I find nothing but reference to them and no place to buy them.
I have googled, and I find nothing but reference to them and no place to buy them.
#2
likes to ride an old bike
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 669
Likes: 1
From: Madison
Near as I can tell, the "Copper" spokes were from Industry Nine, and they weren't copper at all. They were I9's normal aluminum spokes anodized a cool color.
I don't believe it would be possible to make a copper alloy with the tensile strength necessary to be a safe spoke.
I don't believe it would be possible to make a copper alloy with the tensile strength necessary to be a safe spoke.
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 4
From: Collegeville, PA
Bikes: Ruckelshaus Randonneur, Specialized Allez (early 90's, steel), Ruckelshaus Path Bomber currently being built
De-chrome chrome spokes (if they even make them anymore) and then copperplate them?
#4
Cottered Crank
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,401
Likes: 15
From: Chicago
Bikes: 1954 Raleigh Sports 1974 Raleigh Competition 1969 Raleigh Twenty 1964 Raleigh LTD-3
Near as I can tell, the "Copper" spokes were from Industry Nine, and they weren't copper at all. They were I9's normal aluminum spokes anodized a cool color.
I don't believe it would be possible to make a copper alloy with the tensile strength necessary to be a safe spoke.
I don't believe it would be possible to make a copper alloy with the tensile strength necessary to be a safe spoke.
#6
Cottered Crank
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,401
Likes: 15
From: Chicago
Bikes: 1954 Raleigh Sports 1974 Raleigh Competition 1969 Raleigh Twenty 1964 Raleigh LTD-3
I am an electrician. We can't even pull wire to street lighting these day until the street lights are mounted as the bums will just yank it right back out of the conduit or even cut what little we have coiled at the bases if we leave it there as much as over night.
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 726
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From: South Florida
Amesja is right. Here in my area of South Florida it's getting out of hand on how many A/C units are being stolen for the copper. Mostly commercial units, forclosures, abandoned buildings and in some cases even churches!!
You may want to rethink putting anything copper colored on your bike or anything else for that matter.
You may want to rethink putting anything copper colored on your bike or anything else for that matter.
#10
Unique Vintage Steel



Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 287
From: Allen, TX
Bikes: Kirk Frameworks JKS-C, Serotta Nova, Gazelle AB-Frame, Fuji Team Issue, Surly Straggler
What project is this for? I was just thinking how sweet your High Sierra would look with some copper spokes, but that's not a 27" rim.
#11
Cottered Crank
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,401
Likes: 15
From: Chicago
Bikes: 1954 Raleigh Sports 1974 Raleigh Competition 1969 Raleigh Twenty 1964 Raleigh LTD-3
People are stealing catalytic converters right out of cars parked on the street for the scrap value of the stuff inside (platinum). The USA is slowly turning into a third-world country/war-zone. Not quite as bad a Mogadishu -yet.
#12
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 790
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From: Plano, TX
Bikes: 1968 Falcon San Remo 1973 Raleigh International, 1974 Schwinn Suburban, 1987 Schwinn High Sierra, 1992 Univega Ultraleggera, 2007 Dahon Vitesse DH7G
This is for my new old international. I'm going to leave the bike as is, but the spokes are rusted. I figure that if I get copper then it will patina and look "right" .
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,304
Likes: 40
From: Victoria






