source for custom cut spokes
#1
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source for custom cut spokes
Can anyone suggest a good reliable online source for custom cut spokes? I'm looking for Wheelsmith DB14s, but could go with other brands with similar butting if Wheelsmiths are not available.
My LBS is so backed up with bike repairs they don't have time for it...plus they would charge too much per spoke anyway as they don't deal too much with custom wheels.
My LBS is so backed up with bike repairs they don't have time for it...plus they would charge too much per spoke anyway as they don't deal too much with custom wheels.
#2
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Sunny Sppkes in Leesburg, VA.
Superfast, very precise.
Superfast, very precise.
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#3
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Universal Cycles has many different lengths available. What are you looking for?
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...4&category=197
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...4&category=197
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I second for Sunny Spokes, very easy to deal with and fast, here is their ebay store
https://www.ebay.com/str/sunnyspokes
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I have gotten most of mine from Yojimbo's garage via Ebay.
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Question: are custom spoke threads usually cut as opposed to rolled? I understand that cut spokes are not as strong.
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#9
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Note cutting a butted spoke may result in the new threads being in the thinner section
so start with a 14-15-14 spoke since 15 is a common thread rolling die .. (i built a wheel set with 36 15 plain that are 35 years later, fine..)
Want custom length & being double butted , that's asking the * spoke factory, and minimums may be a thousand, to do the setup.
* DT, Swiss , Sapim, Belgium , Wheelsmith, Japan, I believe.
so start with a 14-15-14 spoke since 15 is a common thread rolling die .. (i built a wheel set with 36 15 plain that are 35 years later, fine..)
Want custom length & being double butted , that's asking the * spoke factory, and minimums may be a thousand, to do the setup.
* DT, Swiss , Sapim, Belgium , Wheelsmith, Japan, I believe.
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The issues with single butted vs double butted would only come in with respect to building something that is beyond what is normally done, for example building 16", 18", or 20" wheels.
Of course bladed spokes also have to be cut with respect to the factory shoulders.
#11
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I fondly remember cutting spokes and rolling threads with an old VAR or Hozan spoke threading tool back in the 1970's. We would have customers come in with old bikes with unusual wheel sizes that needed a few spokes replaced. I have seen those tools for sale on eBay now and then. New ones are really expensive as I recall. Not sure how many the OP needs but that's another option.
#12
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My local still has the Hozan thread rolling tool & uses it for a spoke or 2 needed to get bike tourists back on the road..
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We have an original Phil Wood spoke cutter in our shop with a S/N below 100. It still works perfectly and has to be over 30 years old. We have to readjust it and replace the rolling dies every few years. We even replaced a bearing last time beause we did not think it was oing to make it to the next maintenance interval. We cut straight gauge and butted spokes. For butted spokes we make sure we have at least 1.5 inch above the butted portion for a safety margin before we roll a thread, easy-peasy. I suspect most good shops either have such a machine or access to a wheel builder that has one. We only have to stock a limited selection of blank spokes this way to be able to service virtually any wheel.
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