What proper tool for wheel truing?

[cwah]

Hello,

I realised that my rear wheel was seriously out of shape and I decided to true the wheel, and as I did that I realised that some of the nipples didn't turn properly with my spanner. I decided to use a plier to turn the nipples but then I damaged the nipples:

Now my wheel is out of true... and my nipple is dead too


I realised that my spoke wrench was getting worned out as I was using it:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Accessotech-Bicycle-Nipple-Spanner-Wrench/dp/B00E8NQZMC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434061721&sr=8-1&keywords=truing+key

It had good review on amazon, I thought it would be good quality... it isn't at all.


So now, I need to get a proper 12G and 13G spoke wrench. Is there anywhere I can get one?


And what should I do with my damaged nipple? Any way I can save it or I can still keep truing the wheel? Or shall I get new nipples? but from where?

Thank you

 

[Deleted member 4366]

The BMSbattery ones are pretty good for 60p, but you need to order some other stuff at the same time. They seem to be harder than some of the others. If your nipple's knackered and can't be unscrewed, you might have to cut the spoke in half and replace it.

 

[One_Box]

Take your wheel to a good bike shop and get the job done properly. It may cost a bit more but would be worth it in the long run.

 

[RobF]

Those round wrenches are, as you have discovered, generally rubbish.

Maybe OK if used carefully for tweeking a single spoke, but no more than that.

The loop ones in dedicated sizes do the job properly.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/park-tool-spoke-wrench-sw/rp-prod17510?gs=1&gclid=CJbM_5i8icYCFbHKtAodf1YApw&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[cwah]

Those round wrenches are, as you have discovered, generally rubbish.

Maybe OK if used carefully for tweeking a single spoke, but no more than that.

The loop ones in dedicated sizes do the job properly.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/park-tool-spoke-wrench-sw/rp-prod17510?gs=1&gclid=CJbM_5i8icYCFbHKtAodf1YApw&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thanks which size should I get for 12G spokes? And for 13G?

Thanks

 

[RobF]

Thanks which size should I get for 12G spokes? And for 13G?

Thanks

Good question.

If you have a root around, I think some sites give gauge sizes.

Or it might be simpler - and almost as cheap - to look out for a set of three or four.

 

[shemozzle999]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fat-Spanner-Multi-spoke-key-/121669475816

better illustration but more expensive for these people:

http://www.highonbikes.com/fat-spanner-multi-spoke-key-for-mtb-road-bike.html

Compact size - excellent for small wheel building where space between adjacent spokes is tight - also short wing nut type tightening paddles are small so excessive pressure on nipple is avoided.

 

[Kuorider]

Put a spot of WD 40 on each nipple and leave overnight before adjusting especially if the bike lives outside.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Those round wrenches are, as you have discovered, generally rubbish.

Maybe OK if used carefully for tweeking a single spoke, but no more than that.

The loop ones in dedicated sizes do the job properly.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/park-tool-spoke-wrench-sw/rp-prod17510?gs=1&gclid=CJbM_5i8icYCFbHKtAodf1YApw&gclsrc=aw.ds

Unfortunately, those don't fit Cwah's spokes. I have all sizes of that tool, and I haven't found an ebike wheel yet that they fit. In fact i ground one out with a Dremmel to make it fit 13g Chinese nipples.

I guess it's the same with Shemozzle's suggestion. It says it fits all standard bicycle spokes. Chinese ebikes rarely have standard cycle spokes.

Those ring ones, like Cwah has are the only ones i found that definitely fit.

 

[selrahc1992]

Unfortunately, those don't fit Cwah's spokes. I have all sizes of that tool, and I haven't found an ebike wheel yet that they fit. In fact i ground one out with a Dremmel to make it fit 13g Chinese nipples.

I guess it's the same with Shemozzle's suggestion. It says it fits all standard bicycle spokes. Chinese ebikes rarely have standard cycle spokes.

Those ring ones, like Cwah has are the only ones i found that definitely fit.

I've found the same,the only 2p bit I would add further is that usually strip nipples because I'm trying to pull a badly bent rim straight with a spoke - instead of,as Sheldon brown rightly point out,taking the wheeloff

 

[selrahc1992]

and using knee and hands to straighten rim before only using spoke to keep things straight

 

[cwah]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fat-Spanner-Multi-spoke-key-/121669475816

better illustration but more expensive for these people:

http://www.highonbikes.com/fat-spanner-multi-spoke-key-for-mtb-road-bike.html

Compact size - excellent for small wheel building where space between adjacent spokes is tight - also short wing nut type tightening paddles are small so excessive pressure on nipple is avoided.

Do any of these fits the 12g and 13g spokes? I bought one already and didn't fit at all

 

[cwah]

I've found the same,the only 2p bit I would add further is that usually strip nipples because I'm trying to pull a badly bent rim straight with a spoke - instead of,as Sheldon brown rightly point out,taking the wheeloff

Why taking the wheel would solve the problem?

 

[cwah]

Unfortunately, those don't fit Cwah's spokes. I have all sizes of that tool, and I haven't found an ebike wheel yet that they fit. In fact i ground one out with a Dremmel to make it fit 13g Chinese nipples.

I guess it's the same with Shemozzle's suggestion. It says it fits all standard bicycle spokes. Chinese ebikes rarely have standard cycle spokes.

Those ring ones, like Cwah has are the only ones i found that definitely fit.

I also got one from bmsbattery and it is exactly the same as the one from amazon. It is not made from hardened steel and trying ultimately distort the spoke wrench.

I need something quite foolproof, it's a pain to fix a bent wheel with broken nipple

 

[Nealh]

I use one I got off Fleabay for £1.96 similar to the BMSB one, it was in matt black finish and has the differing spokes sizes written on it. Cwah surely if you are trying that hard and are rounding off the nipples sounds to me like you are trying to over tension the spokes or they are too long and you are running out of thread so hence the damaged nipples.

 

[cwah]

rounding the nipples isn't the only problem.

Rounding the spoke wrench is the major issue. I need to get one that is hardened steel.

How can I find one for 12G and 13G? Is it impossible? Shall I change the spokes?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

As I said, the black ones i got from BMSB are extremely hard. They don't wear at all. I have a silver one (supposely chrome steel) from Ebay that has worn like yours.

 

[Nealh]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bike-Bicycle-Cycle-Spoke-Wheel-6-Way-Spanner-Wrench-Nipple-Key-Adjuster-Rim-Tool-/281200803524?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4178dfbec4

Cwah this is the seller and the one I got it is hard as nails I have had no wear on my one.

 

[cwah]

Bought it. Thank you

 

[Deleted member 4366]

That's identical to the BMSB ones I have.