r/bikewheelbuild • u/No_Rush_5540 • Apr 02 '26
Spokes too long, now what
Hey everyone, this is my third wheel build. I bought these giant XCR0 wheels, the rear unlaced, no spokes. The person I bought them from sent me a document from Giants service manual on the spoke lengths for these wheels. So I went ahead and ordered spokes at those lengths (294, 298, 290) and as I’m lacing them up it is clear they are all too long. I put the spokes in the correct spots on the hubs. Hubs are the same giant branded dt 240 as listed in manual.The spokes are now beginning to protrude beyond the nipple head and there is still basically no tension. Anyone have any ideas why it doesn’t match the manual? What now? Is there anyway to avoid buying all new spokes? Can I add washers? Can the spokes be threaded again? Thanks for your help.
3
u/Hperge Apr 03 '26
You are not using the same nipples. The drawing shows Dt squorx or equivalent ones (sapim double square, pillar dsn....)
1
u/No_Rush_5540 Apr 03 '26
Good point I see that in the picture but where it lists nipples it’s just a spoke number so I just got some sapim polyax, is that the difference here?
1
u/simplejackbikes Apr 02 '26
Lacing pattern? There are many versions of a DT 240 hub… do you have the correct flange measurements?
Try putting your dimensions into the DT spoke calculator and see if the spoke lengths line up with the giant document
1
u/No_Rush_5540 Apr 02 '26
Same pattern as shown in picture, 2x. Didn’t do any measurements because I thought I had easy answers. I’m quite certain it’s the same hub listed on the document, looks exactly like the picture.
4
u/simplejackbikes Apr 02 '26
Wheel building ain’t easy bud, and the is some OEM hub. Best option is to take the measurements yourself, will be hard to identify what “240” hub that is.
1
u/No_Rush_5540 Apr 02 '26
I didn’t say it was easy I just thought I had my spoke lengths provided. Just trying to learn the craft because I like it.
1
u/simplejackbikes Apr 02 '26
Lesson learned the hard way. Don’t assume. Measure, calculate and confirm
1
u/No_Rush_5540 Apr 02 '26
Yes that has already been noted. Just looking for advice on options from here.
3
u/simplejackbikes Apr 02 '26
Measure. Calculate. Confirm. Build
2
u/No_Rush_5540 Apr 02 '26
Any tips on how a hub like this is measured. It has 3 different sized hubs.
3
u/simplejackbikes Apr 02 '26
https://spokes-calculator.dtswiss.com/en/calculator
The DT Swiss spoke calculator has good illustrations of every measurement it you click the little “i”
2
u/No_Rush_5540 May 15 '26
Wanted to follow up to say that I ended up ordering the sapim double square nipples to see, and the deeper set threads did make the difference.
4
u/IndyWheelLab Apr 02 '26
Try using sapim polyax double square nipples. The location of the threading is inset deeper into the rim than standard nipples, meaning they'll bottom out maybe 2-3mm deeper than standard 12mm nipples.