How to bend spokes to make stuff
04-06-23 | 04:24 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 2,985
Likes: 1,852
From: Long Island, NY
Bikes: Trek 800 x 2, Schwinn Heavy Duti, Schwinn Traveler, Schwinn Le Tour Luxe, Schwinn Continental, Cannondale M400 and Lambert, Schwinn Super Sport
Impressive. Many members have made tools and objects d'Art from spokes. Using the hole in the hub is a good idea, at least to start with. Perhaps a piece of steel with a hole in it might work equally good although it may lack the meaty "handle" f the hub.
04-06-23 | 07:31 PM
#4
SE Wis
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,556
Likes: 4,334
From: Milwaukee, WI
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
05-14-23 | 09:13 AM
#10
Sr Member on Sr bikes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 1,293
From: Rhode Island (sometimes in SE Florida)
Bikes: Several...from old junk to new all-carbon.
File this under old bike parts used for applications other than cycling. In addition to spokes, I use old tires, tubes, chains, brake/shifter cables, and cable housing for things that are entirely not related to cycling. My most recent re-use is cutting the bead off of foldable tires and using it as rope. The cord in the bead is strong stuff.
Speaking of bending spokes…I can’t find it now, but a couple years ago I was in a pinch and quickly needed a single spoke but had none on hand of the correct length. So, I cut the head off a longer one, and using the vise, hammer, and pliers I bent a small loop in it right at the correct length to function as the head. It worked perfectly. I posted pics of it here in the BFs. A responder posted pics of a manufactured hand tool specifically designed for this task, and a pic of a wheel laced entirely with spokes fashioned in this way.
Dan
Speaking of bending spokes…I can’t find it now, but a couple years ago I was in a pinch and quickly needed a single spoke but had none on hand of the correct length. So, I cut the head off a longer one, and using the vise, hammer, and pliers I bent a small loop in it right at the correct length to function as the head. It worked perfectly. I posted pics of it here in the BFs. A responder posted pics of a manufactured hand tool specifically designed for this task, and a pic of a wheel laced entirely with spokes fashioned in this way.
Dan
05-14-23 | 10:24 AM
#12
Old guy & bikes
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 93
Likes: 81
From: Upstate New York
Bikes: Rans V-Rex, Raleigh International, Rans Sequoia, GT Timberline, Double Vision tandem, Optima Baron, old Raleighs.
I put a new clutch in my Volvo 242. The reverse lockout ring was connected to the mechanism with a short bicycle spoke, no fooling. I damaged it on disassembly, so I improvised with a bicycle brake cable.
I’ve made many rear view mirrors for eyeglass mounting with spokes.
I’ve made many rear view mirrors for eyeglass mounting with spokes.
05-14-23 | 10:30 AM
#13
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 379
From: ohio
Bikes: Surly long haul trucker, Surly steamroller,Huffy Catalina, Univega Alpina 501. Gravity deadeye monster, Raliegh sport , Electra loft 1
The little bender in the link works great. I had mine out bending staples for garden fabric out of coat hangers. Old inner tubes are cut into ranger bands. I strip old bikes and save parts to help others get there bikes working
05-14-23 | 11:06 AM
#14
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 108
Likes: 30
I put a new clutch in my Volvo 242. The reverse lockout ring was connected to the mechanism with a short bicycle spoke, no fooling. I damaged it on disassembly, so I improvised with a bicycle brake cable.
I’ve made many rear view mirrors for eyeglass mounting with spokes.
I’ve made many rear view mirrors for eyeglass mounting with spokes.
Some neat spoke bending going on there! Thanks for sharing!
Cheers!
