removing hub from wheel

[vqdriver]

didn't want to pollute the other thread because it's the other way, but if a rim's bent or busted, will cutting the spokes damage the flange, or is that urban legend?
imagine a 32h handbuilt, not a super hi tension factory wheel

[unterhausen]

I usually cut them out, but detensioning doesn't require a good cutter

[ultraman6970]

I had to go the cutting spoke way a couple of times because the rims were busted, or to save the hubs only w/o caring about the rims and you really need to get a good cutter tool because a regular electrical cable cutter or even a bike cable cutter is not going to work. You need like a chain cutter type of tool.

[Ken Robb]

Originally Posted by ultraman6970

I had to go the cutting spoke way a couple of times because the rims were busted, or to save the hubs only w/o caring about the rims and you really need to get a good cutter tool because a regular electrical cable cutter or even a bike cable cutter is not going to work. You need like a chain cutter type of tool.

Or a Dremel with a cutting wheel?

[steelbikerider]

i've always used an 8" pair of lineman's pliers to cut spokes, detentioned if the wheel was intact, just started cutting away if the rim was busted.

[ultraman6970]

I have tried that way and is way too much work and the cutting wheels wont last too long.

What i did was to get a bolt cutter at harbor freight, cheap and honestly after 5 wheels that thing is not in stellar condition but is a lot easier and quicker than dremel with any cutting wheel.

And you cant beat 8 bucks :P

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-...ers-60677.html

Originally Posted by Ken Robb

Or a Dremel with a cutting wheel?

[Peter P.]

Urban legend. If you break a spoke while riding, is the hub going to crack? No.

Bolt cutters: Easy, if you have a pair.

[DfCas]

If you just need a rim you can transfer the spokes to the new rim if you use the same rim or one thats very close to the same. Use masking tape and stand the new one, oriented the same, next to the old one and move the spokes over. I use new nipples usually. You can also replace dameged spokes if needed. This is fast and cheap way to replace a rim.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by vqdriver

didn't want to pollute the other thread because it's the other way, but if a rim's bent or busted, will cutting the spokes damage the flange, or is that urban legend?
imagine a 32h handbuilt, not a super hi tension factory wheel

NOT urban legend..detension spokes, then cut out. I've only broken one flange in 35 years of this wheel stuff but still...

[unterhausen]

my question about breaking flanges is if the hub was already cracked. That certainly does happen, and having it fail while being disassembled is an okay outcome. I had a hub break when a couple of spokes broke in a freak wheel stopping incident. Can't imagine that hub wasn't already cracked.

[BikeNY]

I don't understand the issue here. Just spin the nipples off the spokes and your done, and everything is re-useable if you want. I guess bolt cutters are quicker if you're throwing away the spokes and nipples.

[Mark McM]

Originally Posted by unterhausen

my question about breaking flanges is if the hub was already cracked. That certainly does happen, and having it fail while being disassembled is an okay outcome. I had a hub break when a couple of spokes broke in a freak wheel stopping incident. Can't imagine that hub wasn't already cracked.

^^^^ This. Flange breakages are most due to fatigue cracks. If a flange were to break when cutting spokes, it is likely that it was already cracked and waiting for the "final straw that broke the camels back". And final confirmation of this can usually be found by an examination of the broken flange pieces - fatigue cracks usually leave tale-tell indications.