Re: [CR] spoke incident

Jon- There is no real way to install the inner spokes with our either completely unlacing the wheel (and rebuilding it) or bending the replacements. You should be able to "gracefully" curve the replacements enough to clear the rim on the first interlacing after their in the flange. Make the curve in line with the elbow's bend. Don't kink. With the thin 16 gauge this should not need too much effort, but some concentration. Continue to work the spokes and gently recurve or flex as needed to lace through the remaining spoke gaps. A few notes: Spokes will stretch after being bent from an incident and can measure long. If you measure from the flange to the rim the amount is often less then the actual spoke due to the non straight path the spoke takes in real life. You might want to remove an outer spoke and use that as the size standard. Many older wheels didn't even use the "perfect" sizes to begin with (think Raleigh!) so I find myself often trying a couple of sizes before the best fit is found. If the same gauge is used as replacement then start the tensioning by running the replacements up to the same pluck tone as the outers are (and the outers will up their tone as they increase tension with the addition of the inner spokes increasing tension). After making tension tones the same then move onto the dish and actual truing. Don't forget to lube the spoke threads. Some like Spoke Prep others use oil or grease. That you do lube is more the point. I'd use Triflow and add a drop to the existing spokes at each of the nipples' ends, both ends. Wheel repair and truing is more about thinking things through and not getting either lost in the mix or frustrated. Good luck. Andy.