Talk to me about spokes

[PHPaul]

I got a pretty decent replacement rear wheel for my GT550 (somebody had grafted a Honda rear wheel assembly onto it) but it has one missing spoke and 3 bent spokes. The rim actually runs pretty true.

The spokes are 3.15mm in diameter and 150mm long as best I can measure.

I don't believe the rim needs to be entirely re-spoked, I'd like to just replace the missing and bent spokes and true it up.

So far what I'm seeing are complete sets for $40 to $80 depending.

Can individual spokes be bought?

Are used spokes a bad idea?

[Alan H]

You should be ale to get individual spokes, just make sure you get the ones with the correct angled heads. Second hand spokes 'should' be OK, but personally I'd fit new for peace of mind.

[GT750Battleship]

Hi,I've replaced single spokes before without problems,just make sure as already mentioned that they are the same type as you already have there
Regards,
Roger
GT750A

[Drewski]

Ive replaced all the spokes one at a time on a few wheels, I don't bother struggling trying to undo the old ones, just snip them off near the hub. Single spokes shouldn't be a problem, I know they're available from wheel builders/suppliers here in the UK, have you thought about using stainless?

There's a good guide here showing you how to measure the old ones to order replacements:-

http://www.central-wheel.co.uk/spokes/spokes.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[smokin_blue]

I have always worked with Buchanan spoke and rim here in the US. They are great to work with and can pretty much make you anything. I have had customs done for odd rim hub combinations

http://www.buchananspokes.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Mgmark]

If you do replace just the few spokes you need make sure you had the correct bend. The bend is different for the inner and outer spokes. You may need to remove a few extra spokes on either side of the broken ones to get access to the holes you need.