choddo

Hi

I can’t figure out how to remove these NDS spokes. They look like they should be able to push in maybe and then come out towards the hub side of the flange but they’re not moving.

Dan Burkhart 

There should be a plastic cap covering the outside of the flange. Detention the spokes and pry off the cap. The spoke heads should slide out the outside.

Dave Mayer

The spokes have been completely detensioned? If so, you should easily be able to slide the spoke heads out as indicated by Dan.

BTW: I have done a lot of work on Mavic wheels, and find it difficult to detension Aksium spokes without breaking them near the nipple. Yes, I immobilize the bladed portion with the proper tool in order to prevent windup, but I think they break because they've been screwed dry into the nipples at the factory, after which a Loc-tite like compound is applied. So even if liberal amounts of penetrating oil is applied before attempting loosening the nipples, the nipples are stuck onto the spoke threads really really hard.

choddo

Ahh I did look at that cap and wondered if it was removeable. Never like to force something with my fingers crossed. Thanks a lot.

yeah the rim is removed, so all loose. I had to use oil on one nipple. The rest were ok.

Crankycrank

+1 and a video to demonstrate.

Dan Burkhart 

The cap sometimes takes a bit of force to remove but I have never broken one.