I have now built my second set of wheels. Are there any tricks for spokes that are a tad bit long. These are nos 105 guage spokes and buying a set of correct length is not an option. Using hf Shimano MX hubs w/ Weinmann 7b type rims.

They are 7-5/8" long in a 4x pattern. This is a very common length so I know this has been dealt with before. They barely stick through so I guess I could double or triple up on the rim bands.....any other ideas? Thanks!

My local bike shop has a Phil Wood spoke cutter. He buys standard length spokes and cuts them to the desired length. I'd imagine he could cut 105 spokes with a different set of dies. Check with your LBS. You might be able to accomplish the same thing by using a grinder prior to installing the spokes or a dremel tool after assemblying.

I'd recommend against doubling up the rim strips. This might be a good temp fix but I'm sure you will suffer a flat after the spokes have time to wear through the rubber strips.

Ray is absolutely right about not doubling up on rim strips- they will poke through, and they always do it when you're 15 miles from home.
The right way would be to cut them down before you build the wheel, but hindsight is 20-20, right?
I've had to grind down spokes in a built up wheel a few times, if you're careful it's no big deal. Use a good grinder with a smooth oval carbide bit. A dremel will work, it'll just take longer. Tape up the edges of the rim good, because you WILL hit them. When you think you have enough tape on there...add 2 or 3 more layers.
WEAR EYE PROTECTION! Little tiny shards of steel in your eye hurt...a lot. Trust me on that one.
BTW- if you've ever taken a tire off of a production bike and little bits of steel and brass fall out, it's because they grind spokes down all the time. When I had my shop the first thing we would do when building a new bike was to take the tires off and shake out all the debris...because without fail if you didn't they would be back in a week with a flat tire.

i thought Park made a tool for trimming off spokes hanging out past the nipple?

Phil Wood Spoke cutter and lots of Linseed Oil. That is what you need.

They do make a tool that trims off the excess spoke. Not many shops seem to have one these days. (glad I got one!) Try calling around and asking if they have a spoke nipper.

Thanks for the good info guys. I'll check into the nipper. If I can't find one I'll go to the dremel trick.

I just built a similar set of wheels - Araya 2.125 steel rims, 105ga spokes, 4X, 7-5/8 long, and Bendix coaster brake hub. The spokes that were too long were too short for the nipper, and the nipper will damage the nipples if you are not REAL careful on spokes that aren't long enough for the nipper to get a good bite. The grinder did the job for me just fine.

The Phil spoke machine is a very cool thing, but I've only seen them set up for 2.0 or 1.8 mm spokes - nothing on the order of what's needed for this job.

Bill Nicholson

Yep...BillN...I looked last night and there is very little sticking through. I wondered then if a nipper would have enough to bite. I guess I'll use the dremel.

Thanks