Keep_It_Warm
Apr 11 2005, 04:58 PM
Are there any special considerations to ask for/look out for/avoid when having this done?
I have asked my local bike shop to do it, and their reply is: "It is just about impossible to find the right spoke length for sewup wheels...you're better off going to a mountain bike shop because they order their spokes in mass quantities and then cut and tap them to the length needed."
Is this correct?
How are correct spoke lengths determined?
I never dreamed I would run into a snag on having wheels laced as they have done it for me several times in the past with excellent results. But they didn't want anything to do with the sewups.
Please help! Anyone with good information?
Thanks
Tom
Keep_It_Warm
Apr 13 2005, 03:53 AM
Anyone?
X-it
Apr 13 2005, 05:37 AM
It's a safe call to have your spokes cut by whatever shop. Most high end shops will do this.
Keep_It_Warm
Apr 13 2005, 12:52 PM
Thanks X-it...you are exactly right.
I called around to other shops and they said they will do just that.
nationaltrickprostar
Apr 16 2005, 07:01 PM
any quality bike shop should be able to lace up a sew up rim ! most are no different than a regular rim spoke size. it just depends on the spoke pattern 2,3, or 4 cross, or radial laced.
With a sew up rim however, a longer spoke can be used (and usually are)as there is a "hollow area" between the sew up tire and the end of the spoke.
You should not have to have spokes "cut to fit"
this is usually only done for repairs when ordering some of spokes would be a hassle/take to long.
raybeard
Apr 17 2005, 06:32 AM
quote:
You should not have to have spokes "cut to fit"
this is usually only done for repairs when ordering some of spokes would be a hassle/take to long.
Personnally I think the exact opposite. I beleive every spoke should be cut to length. My LBS buys stainless spokes in bulk and cuts every spoke to fit weither it be for a repair or a new wheel build. Spoke length is calulated by entering the actual dimensions off the hub and rim into a program. The program will calculate the exact length required. Try building up a set of Pro mini cassette hubs. The wheel set requires 3 different spoke lengths.
raybeard
Apr 17 2005, 06:34 AM
It takes about 10 minutes to cut spokes for a wheel set. It would take a bike shop employee longer to order/receive/price spokes that it would to cut them. Besides cutting them can be done immediately and does not require a waiting period for the ordered spokes to be delivered.
FWIW I would never have a set of wheels built unless the spoke length is calculated and the spokes are cut per the calculated length. Many shops do not have a spoke cutter because they are expensive. A new Phil Wood is in the range of 3K. Obviously thats a lot of coin to layout so I can understand why shops order rather than cut. If I ever ran into that predicament unless it was an emergency I would look around until I found a shop with a spoke cutter. Just my personal opinion on the matter.
[ April 17, 2005, 08:38 AM: Message edited by: raybeard ]
Keep_It_Warm
Apr 18 2005, 07:16 PM
Thanks Ray...that is exactly what my LBS told me "we don't have the equipment to custom-cut"
...but like I mentioned above...I found another shop that does (only 4 miles from the other shop).
nationaltrickprostar
Apr 27 2005, 04:41 PM
Ray,,,you are correct in the point of "if they have the equipment"
my comment was for the simplest of repairs to a wheel in need of a spoke relacement.
easy to cut a spoke to length and thread it with a park tool.
However if the shop has one of these the employee would not really want to custom cut a full set for two rims AND have to thread them!
That Phil Wood machine is a sweet set up!
it might only take 10 minutes to do the spokes but what would the labor cost be? shop rate?
and the words "custom cut" would surely drive the price up! LOL
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