Spoke wrench size
04-18-06, 07:05 AM
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Spoke wrench size
Hi, was just wondering how i determine the size of my spokes so i know which size wrench to buy.Thanks.
04-18-06, 07:46 AM
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The best method is to measure the nipple at the flats. It is best to get the smallest wrench size that will go on. Generally, the Edco, DT, Sapim, and Wheelsmith nipples use a wrench the size of the Park Tool SW-0, with the black handle. Many Asian made, but certainly not all, use the SW-2, with the red handle. The gauge or diameter of spoke does not determine the wrench size.
For the Park Tool series:
The SW-0 (black handle) is sized for 3.22mm (0.127") (also the SW-40)
The SW-1 (green handle) 3.3mm /80 ga./.130 nipple
The SW-2 (red handle) 3.45mm /80 ga./.136 nipple (also the SW-42)
The SW-3 (blue handle) 3.96mm /105 ga./.156 nipple
For the Park Tool series:
The SW-0 (black handle) is sized for 3.22mm (0.127") (also the SW-40)
The SW-1 (green handle) 3.3mm /80 ga./.130 nipple
The SW-2 (red handle) 3.45mm /80 ga./.136 nipple (also the SW-42)
The SW-3 (blue handle) 3.96mm /105 ga./.156 nipple
04-18-06, 07:56 AM
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Park Spoke wrenches are so reasonably priced that I bought the entire set of SW 0,1 and 2 (Black, Green and Red). That way I know I can work on any bike wheel I'm likely to come across and I've used all three over the years. I recommend you get them all as the "investment" is so modest.
I have no idea what the blue (SW-3) is intended for. Mototcycles?
Hi Calvin, this is the first time I've seen you post here.
I have no idea what the blue (SW-3) is intended for. Mototcycles?
Hi Calvin, this is the first time I've seen you post here.
04-18-06, 10:58 PM
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well if this helps i have the topeak alien 2 multi tool and it has a spoke wrench marked 14g and it fits nicely so what size would that be for park?
04-20-06, 10:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Mountainclimber
so if i was to convert 14g into whatever park goes by what would it be?
As a guess, I expect your "14 g" is a .127" wrench since that is the most common nipple on good quality wheels.
04-20-06, 11:13 AM
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Hillrider has the right idea. I think you can buy all four of them for $20. fwiw I have only used the black and red ones in the 10 years I have been building and servicing wheels (mostly mine and my friends and family). Your best bet is the black one, which seems to service 99% of all wheels out there.
04-20-06, 12:21 PM
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+2 Hillrider - get them all. You'll never know when they'll come in handy. Keep in mind that special propritary spoke nipple sizes are becoming more common. Shimano and Mavic come to mind. I am surprised to not see Calvin mention this considering two of Park's new tools this year are the wrenches to handle Shimano and Mavic.
1 year too late...I had to make my own for Shimano
1 year too late...I had to make my own for Shimano
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04-20-06, 01:21 PM
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Beware of cheap imitations. I've seen some on eBay which are advertised as "Park Tool Style" which means that on the face of it they look just like the real thing (nice pretty coloured handles etc.), but they're much cheaper, and aren't as well-made.
Whatever spoke wrench you decide on, make sure when you come to use it, it fits nice and snug - it's easy to use one which is a teeny bit large; it will work after a fashion if the nipple is in good shape, but eventually it will round of the edges of the nipple, and there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth…
- Wil
Whatever spoke wrench you decide on, make sure when you come to use it, it fits nice and snug - it's easy to use one which is a teeny bit large; it will work after a fashion if the nipple is in good shape, but eventually it will round of the edges of the nipple, and there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth…
- Wil
04-20-06, 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Mountainclimber
Hi, was just wondering how i determine the size of my spokes so i know which size wrench to buy.Thanks.
If that's not practical for you for some reason, see Calvin's advice.
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04-20-06, 03:03 PM
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I had to quit using my black Park wrench because it fit too loosely and was rounding off nipples. Now I use the Spokey red and yellow sizes, the red fits tighter, but I've never rounded off a nipple with either.
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09-27-18, 09:38 AM
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Spoke size
The best method is to measure the nipple at the flats. It is best to get the smallest wrench size that will go on. Generally, the Edco, DT, Sapim, and Wheelsmith nipples use a wrench the size of the Park Tool SW-0, with the black handle. Many Asian made, but certainly not all, use the SW-2, with the red handle. The gauge or diameter of spoke does not determine the wrench size.
For the Park Tool series:
The SW-0 (black handle) is sized for 3.22mm (0.127") (also the SW-40)
The SW-1 (green handle) 3.3mm /80 ga./.130 nipple
The SW-2 (red handle) 3.45mm /80 ga./.136 nipple (also the SW-42)
The SW-3 (blue handle) 3.96mm /105 ga./.156 nipple
For the Park Tool series:
The SW-0 (black handle) is sized for 3.22mm (0.127") (also the SW-40)
The SW-1 (green handle) 3.3mm /80 ga./.130 nipple
The SW-2 (red handle) 3.45mm /80 ga./.136 nipple (also the SW-42)
The SW-3 (blue handle) 3.96mm /105 ga./.156 nipple
09-27-18, 02:08 PM
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Best way to know is to measure the nipple as mentioned by @Calvin Jones. I use an inexpensive digital caliper, a tool that comes in very handy, and I use several times a day when working on my bikes - more than any other single tool.
@HillRider The Park Tool SW3 fits some 559 (26") hub motor wheels.
I reworked a cheap spoke wrench to an even larger 4.10 mm for my 622 (700c) rear hub motor.
09-27-18, 05:37 PM
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Park and others offer nipple wrenches with various sized slots. The cheap round "fit all" is common, the Park SW-7.2 is a three sized one and my fav. is the long gone Park "dog bone". Andy
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