Shimano R550 Wheel Repair

rjsterry

Hitting a raised manhole cover this morning, the rear wheel got wrenched sideways, and the head of the nipple one of the non-drive side spokes was pulled off.



I have a spare set of these wheels with a damaged rim, so I have access to some replacement nipples, but I've no idea whether fitting these is a sensible thing to attempt at home (without any specialist wheel building equipment or the correct size spoke key - a large wheel-specific one) or if I should just head straight to the LBS.

All suggestions welcome.

Ta.

Blue Meanie

Park SW-14C is the spoke wrench you want:

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 148c003523

Fun to replace, those straight pull spokes make for an awkward fix as they spin when you're trying to tension them. Get a small shifter squeezed onto the flat of the spoke to stop them spinning.

Good Luck

rjsterry

Thanks for that BM. I've seen a little Shimano widget on Wiggle, like a miniature spanner with a slot to hold the bladed spoke, and a head to adjust the nipple on the other end. Weirdly they sell them individually (at a fiver each), when you obviously need two to do the job. :roll: