![](https://calebsmith.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wheelworks-6449-sml.jpg)
I saw the Wheel Works spoke nipple clamp tool on Rod Bardsley’s Instagram a few months ago. I’d just replaced a spoke in Emma’s wheel and had held the nipple in place with a pair of pliers while I fed the new spoke in and got the thread started. It was a little awkward and when this gadget popped up I thought “Next time”.
![](https://calebsmith.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wheelworks-6445-sml.jpg)
Well, it turns out the next time has arrived. Tristan from Wheel Works built these wheels over four years ago, nd like he does for all his wheels, he keeps a meticulous record of all the specs. So when I emailed and said I’d snapped a drive side spoke, he knew the exact length to cut and roll a new spoke to. When I arrived on Friday last week, not only did he have a couple of drive and non-drive spokes ready, he also had the cool nipple tool I saw Rod using all packaged up.
![](https://calebsmith.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wheelworks-6452-sml.jpg)
It’s so simple it’s damn awesome. Tristan drew it in a CAD program and 3d printed it on-site, and even pushed in the little threaded insert. I did have to thread the bolt in from the outside once to clean it all out, as I couldn’t quite get it to thread in right out of the bag, once I had though, it threaded in easily.
![](https://calebsmith.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wheelworks-6458-sml.jpg)
The nipple tool slots over the nipple and tightens up so the nipple can’t fall into the rim, once on I grabbed some pliers held the spoke tight, and unthreaded the nipple. So easy.
![](https://calebsmith.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wheelworks-6460-sml.jpg)
Once the broken spoke is out of the nipple, the new Spoke is ready for a little grease (or spoke-prep) and to be threaded back in! It is that simple!
![](https://calebsmith.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wheelworks-6463-sml.jpg)
The process was so pain-free and super quick. The nipple tool and a couple of spare spokes are now traveling with me on all my extended trips.
![](https://calebsmith.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wheelworks-6472-sml.jpg)
If you don’t have one of these little bad boys in your tool setup, you definitely need one! You can grab them here for just $20. Tristan didn’t pay me to say this, I just think it’s super cool and functional tool and I wish I’d known about it and had one sooner!
![](https://calebsmith.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/wheelworks-6454-sml.jpg)