How To Spoke A Bicycle Wheel

When replacing the spokes on a bicycle wheel, you will need to take your time. Don't hurry the process. Give yourself plenty of time to get all the spokes in right. Your bicycle wheels are important to a safe ride. Remember, there are only two wheels. If catastrophe should hit one, you will have an accident. Always put safety first. If at anytime during the process you are uncomfortable with your skill, take your bicycle wheel to a professional. Tip: this will work with most spoke counts.

• To save more, use your excising spokes if you can. Be sure the old spokes are in excellent shape. If any of the spokes show signs of wear, purchase a new set. Try not to mix and match new with old.

  If you are reusing the spokes from the rear wheel, keep right flange side and left flange side in separate. They should be placed on the same side of the new wheel. Pay close attention to pattern and direction of your spokes. Tip: take some close up pictures of the spoke pattern for reference. make sure you have the right length spokes for the wheel.

• If you are reusing the bicycle rim, take the wheel apart in careful stages. Don't remove the spokes in one turn, just turn them one turn as you go around the bicycle wheel. Keep this up until the spokes are out. This process will keep the rim from warping. Tip: be sure to clean any reused parts.

Place the bicycle wheel rim on a table. Note the valve stem hole. The spoke hole to the right will be your start hole. Take the spoke pattern it four steps. The first step is for the over the top of the top flange. Second; spokes that come out of under,side, top flange; Three; spokes from the inside of the bottom of the flange; four; the spokes from the outside of the bottom hub flange. Do one group at a time. Tip: the number of spokes on a rim will always be a multiple of 4.

Start by putting a spoke in every other hole in the flange. Place the spokes in from the inside. If the spoke hole to the right of the valve stem hole is below the center line, your first hole for the first step will be the next spoke hole to the right. Insert a spoke in every 4th hole. As you are inserting the spokes, don't firmly tighten them yet.

Remember the pattern of the spokes as you removed them from the old bicycle wheel. If you took a picture or made note, time to refresh your memory. Follow the pattern of the next set on the same side of the bicycle wheel. Continue working clockwise until this set is done. Tip: be very careful not to scratch your new rim.

You are half way there. Next, turn the bicycle wheel hub over. For the next steps, you will copy the first two. Again, begin with the next empty hole after the valve stem. Fill the spoke holes, one at a time, every other hole.

The fourth and final set will install in the rest of the empty holes. Keep in pattern as you are placing the spokes. The last set is installed. You are almost done!

Now that all the bicycle wheel spokes are installed, the will need to be tightened down. Start at the first spoke you placed and tighten each just until the threads disappear. Next, starting again with the first spoke, tighten each spoke one turn. Keep doing this until all the spokes are evenly tight.

Next you will need to make sure your bicycle wheel is straight. Put the bicycle wheel on the bicycle. Put the bike on a stand or hang it up so the wheel moves freely. Turn the wheel and watch closely for any wobble. Stop the bicycle wheel where is doesn't look true, or straight. Adjust the spokes to straighten. Keep doing this until the wheel rolls without wobbling.

Now that your bicycle wheel is true. Take it back off of the bicycle, lay it flat on a table. Press down firmly with your hands on the edge of the rim at 9:00 and 3:00. Be careful not to press too hard. Stop pressing when you hear or feel the spokes “tink” into place. Give it one more alignment test. Fix any issues. Reinstall on the bicycle and you are ready to go.

Recheck after putting on some miles and adjust as necessary.