Tightening spokes

[Jon T]

Hi Chaps,
In the process of cleaning & tarting up the spoked wheels on my new purchase, I've noticed that I have the odd loose spoke. Getting to the nipple (oo-er missus) is easy, but the spoke rotates when trying to tighten it. It seems there's no anti-rotation on the spoke - how do you stop it turning? In the absence of any better ideas, I guess I'll grip the spoke with my trusty moleys after wrapping the spoke to protect it, but I wondered what the official solution is?

Cheers, Jon

 

[GrinningGSer]

There is a minute grub screw, which locks the tightening nut to the spokes. It is so small that it is hard to find, but believe me it is there. It sounds to me that you are still effectively clamped to the spoke

 

[Jon T]

Ahhh, now I see. Is the locking grub screw down the end of the nipple, bearing against the end of the spoke?

 

[GrinningGSer]

Yes, it's in the middle and the grub screw clamps the spoke to the adjuster and that's why your spoke is rotating.

If you are slackening off, you are backing the grub screw, if you understand what I mean. You cannot tighten with the grub screw tight.

When I last tried to replace some spokes on my GSA, they were rigidly pressed into the rim (not corroded I may add) and they were bu**ers to get out.

If you are adjusting, take care not to alter your wheel shape and use sound as a reasonable guide.