How to Remove Spokes From a Wheel Hub
Spokes are a crucial feature of bicycle wheels and serve two primary functions. First, the spokes connect the center hub and axle to the outer rim. Second, through the use of tension, spokes keep the rim even and centered over the hub. Spokes do occasionally break or become bent thanks to road hazards such as potholes and train tracks. Spoke removal and replacement is performed with the wheel removed from the bicycle.
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Instructions
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1
Press the valve tip to remove all air from the tire.
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2
Work the flat end of a tire lever beneath the tire bead and connect the hooked end to the closest spoke.
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3
Insert the flat end of a second tire lever beneath the bead beside the first lever. Rotate the lever around the tire, forcing the first bead out of the rim.
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4
Set the tire levers aside. Pinch the inner tube at the valve and peel the inner tube out of the tire. Set the inner tube aside.
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5
Grab any portion of the tire and pull the second bead away from the rim, in turn removing the tire from the rim.
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6
Locate the edge of the rim tape. The rim tape covers the inner portion of the rim and helps protect the soft inner tube.
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Peel the rim tape off and dispose of it. If replacing the spoke, replace the old tape with new rim tape.
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Attach a spoke wrench to the nipple of the spoke in question. The nipple is the threaded nut that attaches the spoke to the rim.
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Turn the wrench clockwise, loosening the nipple from the spoke. Continue loosening the nipple until the spoke disengages from the nipple.
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Set the spoke wrench aside and push the nipple through the rim, removing it.
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Grasp the spoke in question and push it up, disengaging it from the hub flange at the other end.
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12
Grasp the other end of the spoke and pull it free of the hub flange.
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References
- Photo Credit front bicycle wheel image by kryptajuliett from Fotolia.com
