MochetVelo Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Can anyone ID these spokes? First, here is a new hickory spoked wheel I just got from Stutzman:Now here is one of my old front wheels. I'm wondering if this wheel has oak spokes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Looks like Oak but it could easily be Ash...........Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mochet Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 (edited) To me, the two grains look quite different, the old one having larger pores. I'd replace them if oak, as that wood has a bad reputation for spokes. Hence, my query. All the wheel makers are using hickory these days, I believe, as did Ford originally.Phil Edited September 13, 2011 by Mochet (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I can't comment on the suitabilty of either species for spokes but I can tell you that Hickory is one of the springiest, strongest, and toughest species out there............Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDewey Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 They both look like Hickory to me--in fact, if my wheels looked like your "old" ones, I'd be a happy camper!T'ake care,David D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vermontboy Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Really difficult to tell from pictures. Keep in mind that old growth wood from the 20's is totally different from most wood "produced" today. Just take the wheel to a small local sawmill - they can generally tell at a glance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest De Soto Frank Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I don't think the wood in the old wheel is oak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhb1999 Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 (edited) The older one looks like white oak or ash. The newer looks like it's made up of different species or types. The top spoke looks like ash, white oak or a hickory. Edited September 13, 2011 by rhb1999 correction (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mochet Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 The new spokes in the first photo are hickory. I told the wheelwright that the wheel would be painted, so he didn't try to match the grain. This costs a bit less, also.Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl B. Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Many state universities have a forrestry department. You could send a sliver of wood to them, and they can microscopically identify the wood exactly...B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Always understood wood wheels were originally made from second growth hickory. Never heard of any other wood being used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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