CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Buying individual Brompton spokes

(13 posts)
  • Started 12 years ago by HankChief
  • Latest reply from HankChief
  • This topic is resolved

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  1. HankChief
    Member

    Hi

    I've just spotted that I've broken a spoken on the rear wheel of my Helios, and looking for suggestions on how to fix it.

    It is 155mm long, which seem common for bromptons but I can only see whole sets of spokes for sale rather than individual ones.

    Options as I see it are

    1. Buy a whole set for £25-30 and have many spares

    2. Find somewhere locally that could cut one down to size. Any idea where?

    3. Fleabay has some individual motorcycle spokes in 155mm - any one know if they would work?

    155mm spoke

    Thanks in advance,

    HC

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Motorbike spokes won't work: they're huge muckle things that are about 1/8" thick.

    Biketrax is probably your best port of call for finding short spokes. I was able to buy a few spokes when my Brompton's back wheel started breaking them. I don't know who in Edinburgh has a spoke thread rolling machine though, otherwise you could buy any decent plain gauge stainless spoke and shorten it.

    You can always buy custom spokes from SJS Cycles. That's where I go when I need a wheel's worth. I may actually have something kicking around in 154-156mm; I'll look when I get home.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. SRD
    Moderator

    We've not yet broken any, but I could see rationale to splitting an order with you in anticipation....

    (aren't brompton wheels a lot smaller than 20"?)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. allebong
    Member

    I have an old 20" BMX wheel with a knackered rim but plentiful spokes. Seem to be about 150mm long-ish. Be happy to take a couple off for you to try.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. Arellcat
    Moderator

    SRD, yes, Bromptons are 16" (ISO349) while the Helios tandems are 20" (ISO406). But spoke length also depends on the depth of the rim and the diameter of the hub (and as a knock-on effect, how radial or tangential the spoke lacing is); a big Shimano Alfine will generally need shorter spokes for the same rim than a hub for a cassette.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. wee folding bike
    Member

    I've got them off SJS before but they charge for postage and on wee cheap things that can cost as much as the item (I need an indicator chain which is £4 but more than £2 postage).

    Brilliant bikes have Brompton spokes on their web page and they seem to sell singles. They don't charge for postage but they also don't have the indicator in stock.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. SRD
    Moderator

    I used Brilliant bikes once for a tube when no local shops had size i needed. They came up on a google.

    was very pleased. I ordered wrong type of valve, and when i tried to 'adjust' the order, turned out it had alreayd shipped. they sent the correct type free. has been enough to get me to give them more business.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. Tulyar
    Member

    I have both the DB and PG spokes in a variety of Brompton Lengths. I know I need a part pack of the DB in 154 I think. As i build and destroy 36 spoke rear wheels I sometimes have spare spokes in the 151-155 sizes.

    If you go to the BromptonTalk wikiplace they have the workshop manual page for wheel rim/spoke combinations to suit the full range of standard hubs - e-mail me direct and I think I'll have it scanned from the manual somewhere (really need that PA!)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. HankChief
    Member

    Thanks for the help guys.

    I've looked on SJS and Brilliant and can't find singles for sale in 155mm size just a complete set.

    So unless I'm missing something with my searching, anyone with an odd 155mm spoke lying around to spare would be exceedingly welcome.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  10. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Hank, sorry, my spare spokes are 146mm, 150mm, 174mm, 176mm and 189mm.

    Do check with Biketrax though for singles.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  11. wee folding bike
    Member

    Brilliant bikes do single spokes in other sizes

    http://brilliantbikes.co.uk/brompton-rims-and-spokes/610-brompton-superlight-spoke-5053099027040.html

    so it might be worth contacting them to see if they will send you one. They wouldn't make much on that deal of course.

    If you're really stuck then Alastair Gow has a spoke cutting machine and will make you any size you want. There might be some comment about riding a kids bike…

    http://www.wheelcraft.net

    Posted 11 years ago #

  12. allebong
    Member

    Yes my ones are also too long (around 180mm). I believe it is possible to cut a spoke down and have the end tapped with new threads for the nipples - maybe worth asking your lbs if they'd be able to do this?

    Posted 11 years ago #

  13. HankChief
    Member

    My back wheel is now back up it's full complement of spokes thanks to a very kind donor.

    The helpfulness of CCE strikes again.

    I even have a couple of spares in case I or any of the other Helios owners have a broken spoke in the future.

    Thank you

    Posted 11 years ago #

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