What are the sizes of spokes?

What are the sizes of spokes?

Generally, there is a one-to-two millimeter range of acceptable spoke length for a wheel. If you want to build with non-differential spoke selections, and the two spoke lengths are only one millimeter different, select the longer length for both sides, and the wheel will typically be fine.

How do I know what size spokes I have?

Spoke length is measured from the inside of the elbow, as shown in the image below, to the threaded end. When measuring a spoke using a tape measure, a second spoke may be used to hold the elbow of the spoke and the tape measure’s tab, as shown.

Are there different types of spokes?

Spokes can be categorized into three categories: straight gauge, butted, and bladed. For the purpose of this article I am not going to go into aluminum or carbon spokes – just steel spokes.

What size spokes do I need for a 27.5 wheel?

Common Spoke Lengths

Holes Rim Type Front O/S
32 XM119 Disc 26″ 258
32 XM319 258
32 517 & 717 260
32 XM319 650B (27.5″) 272

Are all spokes the same size?

When it comes time to ordering your hubs, rims, and spokes, you want to be sure that both the hubs and the rims use the same number of spokes. A majority of mountain bike wheels use either 24, 28, or 32 spokes per wheel depending on their intended use.

What gauge spokes should I use?

Heavy riders or heavy duty applications: consider heavier gauge spokes with thicker cross sections for increased lateral stability. Heavy riders or heavy duty applications: use higher spoke counts to lower individual spoke stress over millions of fatigue cycles. This can dramatically improve long term durability.

Does spoke length have to be exact?

In essence, you will want to be pretty precise. 2mm too long might just be ok, 2mm short might be too short. Be sure to measure the ERD yourself (!) and as precise as you are able to. The spokes on my last build had 10mm thread, and the nipples, despite being 12mm long, only had 7mm thread.

How do I choose bike spokes?

In general terms, the more spokes a wheel has, the more the load is spread and the stronger the wheel should be. Conversely, less spokes means a lighter wheel, so a wheelbuilder must strike a balance between desired strength and light weight.

Are thicker spokes stronger?

Butted spokes are stronger than straight-gauge or bladed spokes. The thickness difference strengthens the structure because both parts of the spoke are at different angles when compared to each other, which helps distribute stress better than straight-gauge or bladed spokes do. This increases their tensile strength.

How far off can spoke length be?

A spoke that is 1.2mm to long will work fine. It does not hurt for the spoke to protrude past the nipple a small amount. However, To long and the nipple will bottom out on the threads.

What if my spokes are too long?

Spokes which are too long are at risk of bottoming out before you can achieve sufficient spoke tension. This is generally the “correct” length plus 2mm. Spokes which are too short will be weak as they will not reach the strongest part of the nipple – the nipple head.