A Spoke Recycler
The great thing about this bicycle spoke cutter and bender is that it allows a
mechanic equipped with a handful of long spokes to fix bicycle wheels
of any size. How? The tool shears the head off the spoke. Then, by holding
the spoke just so in the tool’s jaws and squeezing the handles, an
S shape is bent into the spoke’s end as shown. Because you can put
this shape anywhere along the spoke’s length, you can size long spokes
to fit every size wheel.
A Ride Mechanic’s Treasure
This spoke shaper is the perfect tool when you’re wrenching for a ride or
race. Instead of carrying several common spoke lengths for repairs, simply
pack a supply of long spokes and you’ll be prepared to repair any
wheel that needs help. It came in very handy one year when I was manning
a century rest stop in Paso Robles, California during the Great
Western Bike Rally. Early in the day, I repaired a 700c wheel and
in the afternoon, a couple came through on a Bike Friday Family Tandem
with 20-inch wheels. I used the Eldi to size spokes to fit and saved three
riders from having to SAG in.
A Ridesaver
Bicycle spokes with this S bend are known by tourists as emergency spokes because
the special bend simplifies installation. Carry some emergency spokes
inside a pump, handlebar or bag and should you break a spoke, simply wiggle
it out of the hub and you’ll be able to poke the emergency spoke’s
S-shaped head in its place. You won’t have to remove the wheel, cassette,
tire, tube or nipple (assuming you were smart enough to prepare emergency
spokes that match the nipples in the wheel). So, these spokes come in
very handy. And, they’re strong, too. I’ve ridden for years
on one with no problems.
A Keeper
I’ve searched for this tool without luck so I don’t believe it’s
available any longer. It’s possible to create emergency spokes by
cutting the heads off with diagonal cutters and bending the S with pliers.
But, that’s a crude way to go compared to Eldi’s solution.
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