Thanks to the list members who responded. They advise there was a Hi-E wrench which inserted through the spoke holes in the inside surface of the rim to tension the spokes, which meant you had to remove the tire first. One even sent a photo of said wrench. It is possible a nut driver might work in lieu of the special wrench.
They also advised the Hi-E rims can be used with conventional spokes and sent pics of wheels built with this combination.
Now another Hi-E question. The wheel I currently have with Hi-E spokes is a small flange Hi-E front hub, 36 hole, built 1X with the special Hi-E spokes. I note that al the spoke heads are on the outside of the hub flange. Is this something dictated by the design of the hub or the 1X lacing pattern, or just a preference of the wheel builder?
It occurs to me there are concerns preserving and using this wheel, as I have no spare spokes, should one break. Any chance anyone on the list has a few old Hi-E spokes for sale? Of course the other problem is that the length would have to match a 1X spoke pattern.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net> wrote: Thanks to the CR members who helped me sort out the Hi-E wheelset, bought from another CR member, which I installed on my recently rebuilt Cuevas. Top quality American road parts are relatively rare, but I like to use them on American frames whenever possible.
Now another question. I have (obtained a while back from a CR member of course) a Hi-E front wheel with Hi-E hub, Hi-E rim, and I assume Hi-E spokes. It is 2x. But there are no spoke nipples in the usual sense, no place to use a conventional spoke wrench. Does anyone know how the heck one goes about tensioning this wheel? I obtained at the same time an unbuilt Hi-E rim. Could these rims be built with conventional spokes? Any clue where one would find a spoke length chart for Hi-E rims?
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Big Spring, TX