More than you need to know about spokes.

[cadman]

I bought a set of off shore (cheap) spokes. They actually were chrome and looked very good but ....

They are 5.55" long and .137 diameter. Stock spokes are 5.2" long and .125 diameter. One would assume that they could be trimmed to the proper length however if this is done there are not enough threads left to install them on the rims. So lets buy a die and make more threads.

Spoke threads are rolled threads not cut threads. (The threads are actually a bit larger than the spoke diameter). The thread size is what it is after rolling. There is no die that will work. The nipples are threaded with a special tap that matches the rolled threads. Believe me I tried to make them work. I actually removed about 1/8" of the internal threads on the nipple so it would screw down far enough to lace the rim. Not enough and removing any more threads would be border line for thread contact with the spoke. I have laced this rim up several times and I do not see a way to make these spokes work.

The new spokes are .137 which does not match any American Standard and is about 3.47mm. There are not dies available and if there were it is not wise to cut threads on spokes. It creates a weak point in the spoke where the threads end.

I checked with Buchanan to see if the could roll more threads on these spokes - no deal they cannot match the .137 diameter. (They can do .125 the stock size)

So I have a bunch of pretty spokes that I can't use. I have emailed some of the other off shore suppliers asking for the spoke length prior to buying. I have gotten no responses. I suspect that all the spokes are manufactured by the same place and they will all be wrong.

I have finally ordered the proper stainless steel spokes and nipples for Buchanan - $99 per wheel. Before buying any spokes I would advise inquiring about the length.

[Rickytic]

I too purchased spokes from Buchanon, laced my wheel and some of the spokes were a tad longer than others. I trued the spokes and took the wheel/tube/tire over to be mounted and told the service person about the spokes being somewhat different lengths.....response....no problem, they told me this is a common thing. They finished the spokes off with a grinder or whatever, and they are just fine. The spokes from Buchannon are great. If you are lacing them yourself, be sure to use the lubrication provided, absolute necessity.

Rickytic

[Rickytic]

Cadman, if you have a CL77, make sure you order 40 spokes for the front and 36 for the rear wheel. They told me I only needed 36 for each wheel, not so, 40 for the front.

Rickytic