Stymied by my spoke tool

[SimonJKH]

I wanted to have bash at truing my wheels (the rear clearly needs it), so after reading some guides I grabbed my spoke tool to have at it.
My spoke tool looks like this:-

But the nipples on my spokes seem to be somewhere between the 13 and the 14. WTF? Am I doing something wrong, or do I need a different tool?

 

[screenman]

If it does not fit then yes I would say is the answer, to be honest that looks like monkey metal £ shop thing to me. I would also suggest maybe practising on a scrap wheel before doing your bike one's, I have seen people make a right mess of wheels.

 

[Pale Rider]

I wanted to have bash at truing my wheels (the rear clearly needs it), so after reading some guides I grabbed my spoke tool to have at it.
My spoke tool looks like this:-

But the nipples on my spokes seem to be somewhere between the 13 and the 14. WTF? Am I doing something wrong, or do I need a different tool?

The mechanic in my bike shop doesn't like the round tools.

He reckons this type is better, although you need the right size:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-performance-spoke-wrench/

 

[fabregas485]

Is it normal for a bike to have two different sized nipples on the spokes on its wheels?

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Simon, I have a spoke key that works a treat, you're welcome to borrow it if you wish. I enjoyed truing old wheels but can't see myself having to do so again for a good while.

 

[fabregas485]

No. Some builders prefer to use heavier spokes for drive side at the rear, but usually only to the extent of that being plain gauge rather than butted. Others of course reckon that it is nonsense to do that.

That makes sense. On my bike, either cheap nasty spokes were used or this method as some spokes are loose some are tight in the tool.

 

[Old Plodder]

Normal spokes are 14 gauge/2mm & use a Euro(3.2mm) spoke key.
If you plan on doing it properly, use the right size tool, else you will round off the spoke nipples.
(Single size tool is best.)

 

[young Ed]

Is it normal for a bike to have two different sized nipples on the spokes on its wheels?

depends if you bought the bike or wheels new or not, someone else could have replaced some nipples or spokes and nipples and used a nipples with a different sized head
Cheers Ed

 

[SimonJKH]

Simon, I have a spoke key that works a treat, you're welcome to borrow it if you wish. I enjoyed truing old wheels but can't see myself having to do so again for a good while.

Generous to a fault

You enjoy truing wheels? Looks like a pain in the bum to me. But it does need doing on my trusty steed.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

It is critically important to use a spoke key that is the correct size, or else the key will round the nipple.

Imho one should also try to get keys that grab the nipple on all 4 sides (especially given you might have to work on previously mangled nipples). This is a fabulous small go anywhere do anything key.

 

[SimonJKH]

Is is a normal wheel or a heavy duty one?

Normal as far as I know. Which is why I thought the cheap spoke key I had would suffice.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Generous to a fault

You enjoy truing wheels? Looks like a pain in the bum to me. But it does need doing on my trusty steed.

Truing is sort of a musical task, once I understood that I understood the rudiments of how to true a wheel, even although I'm a bassist.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Think of it as bass but a couple of octaves higher.

Like that little thin string nobody ever uses? But. Er.... Thinner?

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Thinner and at a higher tension, so nothing like bass at all really

Ah, so like six strings? And I don't mean six string basses, because they're the playing equivalent of trying to prove you're good at cycle by having fifty gears.

 

[MontyVeda]

It is very relaxing and therapeutic, not to mention satisfying to achieve something that is acceptably true,

unless of course you're me... then a slight warp becomes a pringle and there's no going back.