News:

Welcome Rad Power Bike owners!

Buying a Rad Power Bike? Support the forum and use my affiliate link: https://bit.ly/2VMSVHl

Be sure to sign up for a free account to see posted images.

Note: To help support to ongoing costs of running
the site we use Amazon affiliate links.

Main Menu

"RAD Mini ST spoke size"

Started by avcomike, July 08, 2023, 09:26:27 AM

Previous topic - Next topic Rad E-Bike April 2024 Promotion

avcomike

can anyone tell me the correct spoke adjustment tool size?

JimInPT

#1
This is the tool I use for my 2021 MiniST2 with the 3" rims - note that Rad changed from 4" when they switched from Kenda knobby tires to the CST Big Boat; I don't know if the spokes are the same, but the odds favor it.

https://amzn.to/3Kauf4q

"The SW-3 is sized for 3.96mm (0.156") nipples."

P.S. you might consider changing this thread's Subject to "RAD Mini ST spoke size" to make it more useful and easier to find with a search.

Shucks Ma'am, I'm no "Hero Member", I just like to wear this cape.

handlebar

#2
Quote from: JimInPT on July 08, 2023, 11:40:57 AM
This is the tool I use for my 2021 MiniST2 with the 3" rims - note that Rad changed from 4" when they switched from Kenda knobby tires to the CST Big Boat; I don't know if the spokes are the same, but the odds favor it.

https://amzn.to/3Kauf4q

"The SW-3 is sized for 3.96mm (0.156") nipples."



Here's what I bought a couple of years ago.
https://amzn.to/3DoAQnI

I wanted one like yours because it has only one slot. I tried your link, and Amazon said it's for sale through Amazon UK for $22.74.

Mine has 8 slots that look alike. The correct slot must be rotated to align it to slide on, so I may not realize it immediately if I've got one of the 5 slots that are too small to slide on. Two others are too big, which means I could round the corners of a nipple.

I filled 6 of the 8 slots with RTV to reduce confusion. I had to leave the 13g slot, opposite the 12g slot, open to straddle the spoke. So there's still room for confusion. I guess I'll make it permanent with J B Weld. Besides filling 6 slots, I can put a bump on the 13g side so I'll know by touch that the opposite slot goes on the nipple.

avcomike

#3
Quote from: JimInPT on July 08, 2023, 11:40:57 AM
This is the tool I use for my 2021 MiniST2 with the 3" rims - note that Rad changed from 4" when they switched from Kenda knobby tires to the CST Big Boat; I don't know if the spokes are the same, but the odds favor it.

https://amzn.to/3Kauf4q

"The SW-3 is sized for 3.96mm (0.156") nipples."

P.S. you might consider changing this thread's Subject to "RAD Mini ST spoke size" to make it more useful and easier to find with a search.
Thanks for suggestion-Done

JimInPT

#4
Quote from: handlebar on July 08, 2023, 07:20:35 PM
Here's what I bought a couple of years ago.
https://amzn.to/3DoAQnI

I wanted one like yours because it has only one slot. I tried your link, and Amazon said it's for sale through Amazon UK for $22.74.

Mine has 8 slots that look alike. The correct slot must be rotated to align it to slide on, so I may not realize it immediately if I've got one of the 5 slots that are too small to slide on. Two others are too big, which means I could round the corners of a nipple.

I filled 6 of the 8 slots with RTV to reduce confusion. I had to leave the 13g slot, opposite the 12g slot, open to straddle the spoke. So there's still room for confusion. I guess I'll make it permanent with J B Weld. Besides filling 6 slots, I can put a bump on the 13g side so I'll know by touch that the opposite slot goes on the nipple.

I have one of those too, but decided against recommending it because it's somewhat awkward to use compared to the Park tool, which doesn't cost much more in the US at least.  I do carry it in my on-bike tool bag though because it's very compact, for emergencies, and you never know when somebody else's bike with different-sized spokes might find it useful.

Like your idea to plug the unused slots with JB Weld to eliminate confusion and make usage faster/easier.
Shucks Ma'am, I'm no "Hero Member", I just like to wear this cape.

handlebar

#5
Quote from: JimInPT on July 09, 2023, 10:18:57 AM

I have one of those too, but decided against recommending it because it's somewhat awkward to use compared to the Park tool, which doesn't cost much more in the US at least.  I do carry it in my on-bike tool bag though because it's very compact, for emergencies, and you never know when somebody else's bike with different-sized spokes might find it useful.

Like your idea to plug the unused slots with JB Weld to eliminate confusion and make usage faster/easier.

When I tried your link, Amazon didn't offer a price. The other option was through Amazon UK. Another Amazon link for the same tool advertised $10.95, but the vendor adds $7.95 shipping.

I ordered this.
https://amzn.to/3Qr6Csj

The style intrigued me yesterday because it looks handier to use and I could see what I was doing. Also, one of the openings is a plain slot, but the other would push on three of the four corners of the nipple. I held off primarily because I didn't know how thick the metal was. This one says it's about 3.8mm thick, meaning it will contact as much of the nipple as my current spoke wrench.


JimInPT

Quote from: handlebar on July 09, 2023, 11:52:04 AMWhen I tried your link, Amazon didn't offer a price.

I just checked and you're right.  I think they must have sold out between my and your postings, as it was shown at about $10.35 or so yesterday.  I assume it'll restock eventually.  I paid $10.95 for mine April of last year.

Shucks Ma'am, I'm no "Hero Member", I just like to wear this cape.