Spoke key

Wayners

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 5, 2023
409
89
55
Gloucester
Any recommendations for a spoke key.
I'm going to try myself to take rear wheel buckle out at weekend. No idea what I'm buying.
Thanks
 

saneagle

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 10, 2010
6,812
3,150
Telford
The most important thing is that you get one where the square that grips on the spoke is diagonal and not square, like this one, but it obviously needs to be the right size for your spokes, typically 14g or 13g:


Wrong type with square not diagonally orientated:
 

AndyBike

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 8, 2020
1,390
591
+1 for spokey.

Plus its bright red*, which means losing sight of it is going to be hard.

*Chances are it will be the red one, as that seems to be 90% of all nipples
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,917
8,533
61
West Sx RH
A red spokey for my 14g spokes.
 

AndyBike

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 8, 2020
1,390
591

Bikes4two

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 21, 2020
1,006
432
Havant
+2 for Spokey (different colours for different sizes) although I can see the advanages of the 'diagonal' type from Topeak which I've now added to my Crimbo list.
 

guerney

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 7, 2021
11,386
3,234
Last edited:

Bikes4two

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 21, 2020
1,006
432
Havant
Saw these - a bit thin at 3.8mm, but they're so cheap I suppose I could superglue two together?

I'm guessing you've never done any serious wheel building or re-truing as using such spanners would drive you insane - their shape/design would make the task endlessly long/labourious/tedious - just saying.

The Spokey and Topeak spoke key designs (and there are many other brands) whereby you can turn the spoke nipple without detaching the wrench are what's needed.

60574
 
  • Agree
Reactions: sjpt and Nealh

guerney

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 7, 2021
11,386
3,234
I'm guessing you've never done any serious wheel building or re-truing as using such spanners would drive you insane - their shape/design would make the task endlessly long/labourious/tedious - just saying.

The Spokey and Topeak spoke key designs (and there are many other brands) whereby you can turn the spoke nipple without detaching the wrench are what's needed.

View attachment 60574
Yep fiddly and unpleasant, and only when I couldn't locate the Park Tool type mentioned earlier, or the horrible circular roulette type. I have rim brakes, and thats the reason thus far I've needed to true. Ordered these the other day to try, which should be an upgrade to zipties... but I may spring for a truing stand at some point...

https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005006354758587.html

60575

...maybe the West Biking:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/145782980939

60580

 
Last edited:

guerney

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 7, 2021
11,386
3,234

Bikes4two

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 21, 2020
1,006
432
Havant
Ooh, that West Biking truing stand looks good value if it's any good that is and much cheaper than Ali Express too - maybe another item on my Crimbo list?

On the other hand, I only build or true a wheel a couple of times a year and I currently use a home made truing stand the design of which I got from a downloaded PDF book (link HERE) which is well worth the £9.00 of anyone's money who fancies a go at wheel building, although I do understand its not for everyone.
 

Wayners

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 5, 2023
409
89
55
Gloucester
Yose power front hub wheel is 12g
My rear wheel is 13g

I have these spoke keys but not recommended correct?

60581
 

saneagle

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 10, 2010
6,812
3,150
Telford
Yose power front hub wheel is 12g
My rear wheel is 13g

I have these spoke keys but not recommended correct?

View attachment 60581
The one on the left is better than the one on the right. I've used both types many times. The ones on the right seem to vary in size. when I've selected the 13g slot for my 13g nipples, sometimes they're nice and snug, other times they're too loose so they round the squares.

13g nipples are around 3.5mm, which is the largest slot in the one on the left. The one on the right will have a 12g slot, but you have to try it to see how well it fits. 12g spokes often give problems - mainly coming loose. Are yours OK?
 

Wayners

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 5, 2023
409
89
55
Gloucester
Had terrible buckle in the yose 12g out the box. Got worse over the first couple of weeks and a local shop did what they could to straighten. Been ok.

13g rear has a buckle now after 2000 miles for some reason..
I can't wait 4 days for a shop to fix as it would mean i need to take the bus every day so going to have ago myself at fixing
 

Related Articles

Advertisers