Spoke washers?

DavMartinR

Hi,

I'm building up a set of wheels for the summer using 105 hubs and Sapim Race and Leader spokes (on drive side). Spokes and hub's are on order, but should or could I use washers? I say could because I think they would look good. But will the washer affect the spoke not sitting right in the flange?

racingcondor

The general rule is that you should use washers if there is play in the spoke once you've threaded it.

I recently built some Ultegra hubs to Open Pro's with DT Competitions and the fit was so tight you had to push the spoke round the J bend to seat it properly, no way would I have had space for a washer. Your Sapims may have more play. I'd buy rims and hubs, measure up, buy spokes, thread one in to see how tight it is and then think about washers.

Good luch with the build.

2Phat4Rapha

For long-term durability a “snug” fit is needed between the spoke elbow and the hub flange. Hub manufacturer’s are often a bit generous with spoke hole diameters because it makes spoke insertion easier. But too much play is not a good thing. 2.4/2.5mm spoke holes and spokes that are less than 2mm dia at the elbow will likely have too much play and would benefit from washers to snug things up a little. You may not be able to predict this so for the cost, it might be better ordering washers anyway. If you feel any play between spoke and flange, use the washers.

In theory washers reduce the spoke lengths a tad which you might want to bear in mind when calculating them.

ugo.santalucia

I always use brass washers, whenever the hub allows (some hubs don't)... spoke failure is a thing of the past for me... would recommend using them always.
SJS sells small qualities if you don't want to invest in the big bag

DavMartinR

Thanks for the advice so far guys.

I was looking at the washers from SJS , but then I searched the net and found these...

http://www.dandpmetalsupplies.co.uk/M2_ ... 88152.aspx

Do you think they would work?

ugo.santalucia

DavMartinR wrote:

Thanks for the advice so far guys.

I was looking at the washers from SJS , but then I searched the net and found these...

http://www.dandpmetalsupplies.co.uk/M2_ ... 88152.aspx

Do you think they would work?

I think they will, well spotted... worst for worst, you waste a couple of quid... have you checked delivery costs? Outside the cycling world it can be quite hefty

DavMartinR

I just notice they've got an Ebay shop with free postage....

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/D-and-P-Metal- ... =198608890