[Closed] Spoke Keys / Wrenches

99% of nipples are a standard size (3.2mm) so you'll generally only need one.
The Brand X spoke key on CRC is as good as the park tools one IMO.

X tools spoke key

Thanks ajantom!

Also for years I used one if these, not as comfortable as the one above, but covers all sizes.
You'll only ever use the 14/15 bits anyway!

The amusingly named spokey is IMO the nicest.

Spokey is great, as is anyone that engages on 3-corners rather than 2-flats particularly if you've got wheels with alloy nipples.

Another vote for the Spokey (Pro model though, has deeper engagement than standard). I've got quite a few different brands to suit all the obscure sizes that come through the workshop, and the Spokey's are the only ones that don't p**s me off when using them.

DT Swiss is my favourite for "standard" nipples, Spokey Pro works fine, just a bit "plasticy", if that bothers you.

Above is correct. DT are all of teh pimp shizznizzle, Spokeys just work.

Spokey Pro is my vote. Grips on all four sides of the nipple.

When I first started playing with wheels I listened to advice and bought a variety of spoke tool sizes that I've never needed. Red Spokey is probably the only tool you'll ever need.

Especial dislike from me for the Park spoke wrenches (uncomfortable and not very good) and those multi size once that come bundled in toolsets - they waste so much time as you always pick them up with the wrong size ready and partly because of that and partly because they're just cheap tools they have a high likelihood of chewing nipples up in my experience.

Those multi size ones are horrible.  If that is all you have then tape over all the sizes you aren't using to prevent you messing around finding the correct size each time.  Spokey ftw though

I concur with everything said above, except ajantom, with whom I disagree on every front. Sorry 🙂

So:

- Spokey rocks
- Spokey Pro rocks a little bit harder
- DT Swiss if you want to impress prospective sexual partners who get excited by someone building wheels
- Park spoke keys suck
- Multi-size spoke keys are frustrating and of a quality you'd associate with something that falls out of a Christmas cracker

I have a Spokey (red) and one of those big round ones that ajantom posted. Spokey for 99%, the other for a BMX that I found left out for scrappers and managed to ressurect for nothing and also for tightening (only too) removable valve cores. A true ride-saver.

spokey pro.

i also have an actual spanner which i switch too when the spokey gets a little bendy its either a unior or an icetools

ajantom, with whom I disagree on every front.

Jeez, sorry I offended you 🙄

I wasn't advocating one of the cheap round ones as a perfect spoke key, just pointing out that for occasional and emergency work they're more than adequate.
Something that can live in the bottom of the travel tool kit or saddle bag, and you not worry about losing it or lending out.

It's all personal opinion though at the end of the day. Personally I prefer the feel of the Park style one over the Spokey. Never felt the need to drop the cash on the DT wrench!

Spokey Pro. Cheap too.

APF

Jeez, sorry I offended you

You didn't, hence the smiley… I just happened to disagree on every point, in contrast to agreeing with every point everyone else made, which for some reason I just found mildly amusing 🙂

FWIW I do have one of those multi-size spoke keys, and once or twice in the 20+ years I've had it it's seen action, mainly for fixing a piece-of-crap supermarket bike for one of the kids in the street. So yes, as a thing to have for tweaking a random bike that might come your way every few years, it has its place. But the OP wants to build wheels, and as a wheelbuilding tool it's terrible.

DT tool is great if using bladed spokes, the spoke can be held just above the nipple rather than above the spoke, helps prevent the spoke twisting.

DT Tool is great for shop use, for home or on a budget I would probably just buy a spokey pro unless using bladed spokes

Hang on, Red Spokey? I've been using the 3.4mm yellow version for years!

Guess that proves that it works though, never slipped.

Red for Dt nipples

Yellow for almost all others.

Every days a school day.

And I can confirm the yellow one works perfectly well with dt nipples even if it is wrong.

Thanks all😃

I like the Park 4-sided one- if you're working with old/damaged/bloody stupid alloy nipples then it's much better than the normal 3-siders. I think the DT one does the same maybe.

Red spokey also works with sapim nipples.

It works in the same way a 13mm spanner will tighten a 12mm nut to a point.

Try loosening a stuck 12mm with a 13mm spanner.

Or if it's a wheel build that needs a super high tension.

A yellow spikey will round a Dt spoke nipple fairly easy

A red will will twist it it off but at a higher applied torque.

But then some folk use molegrips to tighten nuts.

I dispair and walk away at that point.