26 replies to this topic

[twisted_ophelia]

Hi guys,

I was just given a pair of used Spinergy Spox and I want to get some colored spokes to interchange with the black ones that are currently on there and I'm wondering if there are places other than Sportaid that sell them online, and at a cheaper price? I took the rims to a bike shop yesterday and they said they can order them but I believe it's at $12.50 CDN a spoke which will get a little pricey and it will take a while for them to get them in.

Also, I pulled off the Primo everyday tires that came with them and want to put Kendas on them. I have only had experience with Kenda's knobby tires--which I LOVE--but the bike shop was able to order the Kenda court/everyday tires http://www.sportaid....blue-tread.html and I'm just wondering about everyone's opinions on these. I was thinking of trying out Schwalbe because I'm not really a fan of Primos anymore. I used them for years and I find they just kinda suck compared to other tires. I'm keeping my knobby tires on the rims I am currenly using and will just interchange them with my Spinergy wheelset for everyday city use once I get them back from the bike shop--plus those knobbies on the carpet in my house is a total pain in the butt and makes a mess.

And speaking of bike shops, for anyone in the Toronto area, I HIGHLY recommend Cycle Solutions out in Scarborough for fixing up your chair rims, tires, etc. They are awesome dudes and know what they're doing.

[Trinity]

twisted_ophelia, on Jul 5 2009, 06:39 PM, said:

Hi guys,

I was just given a pair of used Spinergy Spox and I want to get some colored spokes to interchange with the black ones that are currently on there and I'm wondering if there are places other than Sportaid that sell them online, and at a cheaper price? I took the rims to a bike shop yesterday and they said they can order them but I believe it's at $12.50 CDN a spoke which will get a little pricey and it will take a while for them to get them in.

Also, I pulled off the Primo everyday tires that came with them and want to put Kendas on them. I have only had experience with Kenda's knobby tires--which I LOVE--but the bike shop was able to order the Kenda court/everyday tires http://www.sportaid....blue-tread.html and I'm just wondering about everyone's opinions on these. I was thinking of trying out Schwalbe because I'm not really a fan of Primos anymore. I used them for years and I find they just kinda suck compared to other tires. I'm keeping my knobby tires on the rims I am currenly using and will just interchange them with my Spinergy wheelset for everyday city use once I get them back from the bike shop--plus those knobbies on the carpet in my house is a total pain in the butt and makes a mess.

And speaking of bike shops, for anyone in the Toronto area, I HIGHLY recommend Cycle Solutions out in Scarborough for fixing up your chair rims, tires, etc. They are awesome dudes and know what they're doing.

I have just changed to Schwalbe Marathon Plus Evo tyres and am loving them, would highly recommend them. As for the spokes, they cost a lost of money anywhere I think, but they do hold up well. I really really want the pink ones but I can't justify the expense of changing them over!

Edited by trinity, 06 July 2009 - 08:19 PM.

[twisted_ophelia]

trinity, on Jul 5 2009, 01:52 PM, said:

I have just changed to Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres and am loving them, would highly recommend them. As for the spokes, they cost a lost of money anywhere I think, but they do hold up well. I really really want the pink ones but I can't justify the expense of changing them over!

I really really really want the pink ones too but they are only for the LX wheels, not the Spox or other models. I think when I have some extra $ I'm going to buy a pair of the LX ones with the pink spokes. For now, I'll try to get my hands on some of the colored spokes for the Spox models and do some kind of multicolored thing :-D

I actually called up the bikeshop (Cycles Solutions) to see if they can order me in a pair of the Schwalbe Marathons because I would rather get them locally than buy them online and pay for shipping and all that. They're going to call up the Schwalbe sales rep tomorrow and look into it because they don't have Schwalbe chair tires in their regular catalogue, only bike tires. The dudes at Cycle Solutions are awesome--going way above and beyond to get the tires I want in. They had ordered black Kendas for me and I prefer colors and wanted yellow or blue and they're calling up Kenda to get them for me. I could always get them online but the bike shop is selling the Kenda tires I want for $24.50 CDN a pair while Sportaid has them listed for $39 USD/pair.

[oldwheelz]

So why can't you paint the spokes any color you want?

[Trinity]

oldwheelz, on Jul 6 2009, 01:50 AM, said:

So why can't you paint the spokes any color you want?

I have just found out apparently you can! Just need to find out which paint to use then the colour possibilities are endless (within the realms of taste and decency of course)

[araitn]

I have a set of Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires mounted on Spinergy LX wheels and I've been very impressed with them. Don't have the pink spokes, though... had to opt for the less feminine, black ones.

[twisted_ophelia]

oldwheelz, on Jul 5 2009, 08:50 PM, said:

So why can't you paint the spokes any color you want?

I never even thought of that! What does one need to do in order to paint them, any stripping involved or can they be just be painted over? Also, as Trinity said, what kind of paint do you need to use? Anyone painted the spokes successfully?? This is exciting! Looks like my Spox can have pink spokes after all....

[Rotarymotion]

I think you will be pleased with the Marathon Plus tyres. I changed from Kenda tyres to Marathon Plus and Marathon Plus Evolution a couple of years ago and have been very pleased with them. They are slightly heavier and a bit harder to fit than Kenda, but they seem to last for ever. Also they are rated at up to 145 psi pressure whereas my Kendas were only rated at 110 psi.

The other good advantage, and the main reason I originally changed, is that the wheelchair versions have smooth sidewalls with no raised lettering. This is easier on the sides of my thumbs.

Great idea to paint your spokes. I think "an ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory" here, so just clean them up to get any dirt or grease off, and try it. A light colour like pink might need several coats including an undercoat.

Let us know how you get on.

[Slowlegs]

Double post deleted

Edited by Slowlegs, 06 July 2009 - 09:03 AM.

[Slowlegs]

twisted_ophelia, on Jul 6 2009, 04:28 AM, said:

oldwheelz, on Jul 5 2009, 08:50 PM, said:

So why can't you paint the spokes any color you want?

I never even thought of that! What does one need to do in order to paint them, any stripping involved or can they be just be painted over? Also, as Trinity said, what kind of paint do you need to use? Anyone painted the spokes successfully?? This is exciting! Looks like my Spox can have pink spokes after all....

Hi.
My original post was how to paint them if they were metal spokes but since looking at what looked like the spokes in question on the website I have added something different at the bottom.

Are you going to paint them on the rim or off? If they are plain metal you can easily paint them but if powdercoated you'll need to ensure you scuff up the surface or remove the powdercoat altogether. If you paint them on the rims you will need to do a lot of masking if using a spraycan. Make sure you don't paint the hexagonal bit that attaches into the rim because it will only get scratched when you adjust them. Mask that bit off and the thread with masking tape. It also depends if you are going to brush or spray them. If there is rust or corrosion on the spokes, clean that off first with a light sand with about 400 grit sandpaper and/or a rust proofing treatment. Then use a good thinner to clean off any waxes and oils. Then either use an etch primer or standard enamel primer and enamel top coat.

You will generally get a better finish with a spray can than a brush (but heaps more work masking with a spray can) but you can mix a bit of kerosene (about a tablespoon per gallon ratio) to get a better finish with brush on enamel although it will take longer to dry. If you're good at painting your nails then you'll probably end up doing a great job. It will also be a lot cheaper to paint with a brush as you can buy cans that are a lot smaller. Home Depot or a hardware store will help you with all that you will need. Make sure you leave the spokes off for as long as possible to harden if you are taking them off also as it can come off easier if not completely cured.

Another more durable but less shiny option could also be electrical heat shrink. You'd need to pull the spokes off, slip the heat shrink on and then reattach them. It would shrink with a hair drier but would mean you would probably have to cut the heat shrink off before removing spokes. You could possibly also get the spokes anodised by a metal treatment company.

Looking at the website though, they look like they are coated or made with nylon or plastic and flexible so painting them will quite possibly be an issue with sticking or cracking of paint. I was going to suggest enamel but not many standard paints would really be capable of painting the spinergy flexible spokes I saw on that website, especially not if nylon coated. Heat shrink may still work but make sure you don't damage the spokes by heating them up while curing the heat shrink.

Edited by Slowlegs, 06 July 2009 - 09:10 AM.

[oldwheelz]

I guess because I was painting cars and whatever things others could dream for thirty years it seemed obvious to me. I would paint them on the rim with a brush, Light sanding and a good cleaning should prep them.As you are a fellow Canadian go to Can. Tire and buy Armor Coat and mix it to the color you like. I have used many gallons of it and it is easy to use and sticks like glue. Tremclad is very good too. Have fun.

[twisted_ophelia]

Rotarymotion, on Jul 6 2009, 03:36 AM, said:

I think you will be pleased with the Marathon Plus tyres. I changed from Kenda tyres to Marathon Plus and Marathon Plus Evolution a couple of years ago and have been very pleased with them. They are slightly heavier and a bit harder to fit than Kenda, but they seem to last for ever. Also they are rated at up to 145 psi pressure whereas my Kendas were only rated at 110 psi.

The other good advantage, and the main reason I originally changed, is that the wheelchair versions have smooth sidewalls with no raised lettering. This is easier on the sides of my thumbs.

Great idea to paint your spokes. I think "an ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory" here, so just clean them up to get any dirt or grease off, and try it. A light colour like pink might need several coats including an undercoat.

Let us know how you get on.

I don't mind the lettering on the sides because I always wear gloves (see Wheelchair Gloves topic here on the board hehe) to push so that my hands don't get all torn up. It really helps. Anyway, the Marathon Plus are so much more pricey than Kendas! I like to overinflate my tires a bit. If I recall, my Kendas knobbies (24 x 2") are supposed to be inflated to 80 psi but I pump them up to be really really firm. I find it helps on carpets too. I'm just waiting to hear back from the bike shop to see what they can get in for me and how much it will cost me versus ordering tires online from Sportaid.

oldwheelz, on Jul 6 2009, 10:11 AM, said:

I guess because I was painting cars and whatever things others could dream for thirty years it seemed obvious to me. I would paint them on the rim with a brush, Light sanding and a good cleaning should prep them.As you are a fellow Canadian go to Can. Tire and buy Armor Coat and mix it to the color you like. I have used many gallons of it and it is easy to use and sticks like glue. Tremclad is very good too. Have fun.

Well, I have to say I'm really excited to try painting them! But on the other hand, I don't want to ruin them. I think with Spinergys they are nylon and soft when they are put on the rim and then they are baked in some kind of oven to make them hard. I remember reading that on the Spinergy website, if I recall. I'm more worried about the paint cracking off. And my friends are car buffs who are always painting cars who I'm sure would know what to do but as usual, I am hellbent to do this on my own without their help (though they would find this project pretty fun, no doubt!). Yup, I'm Canadian. I was going to go either there or to Home Depot later on today and ask them. Unfortunately I don't have the rims right now, they're at the bike shop. I will paint them on the rim though. Apparently Spinergy spokes are quite difficult to take on and off. What is Armor Coat? Should I buy a specific kind of paint? And what is Tremclad? Is this stuff that will keep the paint from cracking/chipping/peeling off? Sorry for the girly questions, I don't really paint stuff very often!

[oldwheelz]

Armor coat and Tremclad are brand names for paint both available ay C. Tire

[twisted_ophelia]

A friend of mine just suggested spray paint. Thoughts? I have actually spray painted an old chair of mine and it didn't really work well on the metal--kept chipping off. Maybe it will work better on the spokes than paint?

[Slowlegs]

twisted_ophelia, on Jul 7 2009, 02:04 AM, said:

A friend of mine just suggested spray paint. Thoughts? I have actually spray painted an old chair of mine and it didn't really work well on the metal--kept chipping off. Maybe it will work better on the spokes than paint?

To be honest they sound pretty high tech so I wouldn't just go spraying them as it would probably be about as easy as painting guitar strings or fishing line. If you do decide to, perhaps just paint one in black first if that is the colour they already are, then at most you will just need to replace one spoke and it won't be noticeable. Keep in mind the thinners could affect the spoke integrity if a special glue is used also. Some seem to think you are talking about spraying rims but I thought it was the spokes. Could you please clarify that?

[wheelywendy]

araitn, on Jul 6 2009, 03:46 AM, said:

I have a set of Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires mounted on Spinergy LX wheels and I've been very impressed with them. Don't have the pink spokes, though... had to opt for the less feminine, black ones.

i have Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires mounted on Spinergy LX wheels , i changed from primo to kenda but very happy with the Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires , i havent had a puncture since fitting them and i'm finding they last at least 3-4 times longer than my primo or kenda ones did
as for the pink spokes, i think i'm definately gonna get some as soon as i can afford them, i love pink, think i'll replace alternative ones that should look good and be a lot cheaper

[twisted_ophelia]

Slowlegs, on Jul 7 2009, 02:26 AM, said:

twisted_ophelia, on Jul 7 2009, 02:04 AM, said:

A friend of mine just suggested spray paint. Thoughts? I have actually spray painted an old chair of mine and it didn't really work well on the metal--kept chipping off. Maybe it will work better on the spokes than paint?

To be honest they sound pretty high tech so I wouldn't just go spraying them as it would probably be about as easy as painting guitar strings or fishing line. If you do decide to, perhaps just paint one in black first if that is the colour they already are, then at most you will just need to replace one spoke and it won't be noticeable. Keep in mind the thinners could affect the spoke integrity if a special glue is used also. Some seem to think you are talking about spraying rims but I thought it was the spokes. Could you please clarify that?

It is the spokes, NOT the rims. :-) I'm also going to ask the guys at the bike shop when I go back later this week to pick them up and see what they say. Maybe one of them has experience painting spokes on their bikes, who knows! I'm thinking I will just try regular paint or spray paint, without adding anything to either. Spray paint probably wouldn't affect the integrity of the spokes. Hmmmm.

[CR_L1]

Hi Twisted_ophelia,

what you need is some plastisizer, which is an aditive you mix into paint for painting plastic bumpers & pannels on vehicles.
you can get it for all types of paint & it makes the paint flexible once dry, ideal for the flex on spokes.
Ask at a body shop I'm sure someone will give you some, you only use a few drops.

Edited by CR_L1, 07 July 2009 - 03:37 PM.

[twisted_ophelia]

Okaaay, so after much discussion with various people today, I've reached a conclusion as to how to paint the spokes! I spoke to people at Home Depot and Lowes, people at the place where I get all my w-chair stuff who called up Spinergy, the bike shop guys, my ex husband, the guys at my tattoo shop and various friends, including one who is a BMX bike rider and we all sort of collectively decided that the best thing to do is spray paint!

What I'm going to do is clean the rims off nicely, use painter's tape to tape off everything that can't get the paint on it, use a primer, then spray paint the spokes. I'm going with cloud blue (seems like pink is gonna be way too popular and I kinda like to stand out). I'm undecided as to whether or not I'm going to do one side so the spokes will be both black/cloud blue or do all the spokes blue. It's a really nice vibrant light blue, totally love it. Spinergy told my chair tech that the material is polymer plastic--not the easiest stuff for paint to adhere to--but that as long as the spray paint is meant for plastics, it should adhere with the primer and not peel, chip or run off. Some have suggested using a clear coat gloss over top but I'm going to go without that and see what happens first because I don't want anything to affect the flexibility of the spokes. Needless to say, everyone I know is stoked about this little project of mine and very curious as to how it will turn out. I'll take some before and after pics for you guys. I think I'm gonna clean up the rims tonight and give it a go tomorrow. Oh, also, I decided to put the Kenda iron clad court/everyday tires (in yellow) on the rims. I demoed some Schwalbe's Marathon Plus Evolutions today at the chair supply place and while I liked them, I can't justify spending that much on everyday tires right now. Kendas are good stuff and I'm gonna stick with them.

[twisted_ophelia]

So I painted the spokes yesterday! Also managed to spray paint half the grass in my backyard blue in the process but oh well.

Anyway, I did two coats of the primer and then two coats of the spray paint. Can't remember the brand I used but I can go check the bottle if anyone is interested. It actually fully adhered! Without the primer, there is no way that paint would have stuck to those spokes though. And you can kind of tell in some spots if you REALLY look closely that it didn't fully adhere. Overall it looks great. I'm going to put the Kenda tires on them this afternoon and I'll take a pic for you guys later. I'm pretty impressed with myself for actually making them look good, managing to not get paint all over the rest of the rims and all that. I used a TON of painter's tape to cover everything but the spokes. Now I just have to start using them and see how the paint holds up in general everyday wear and tear and use.

[wheelywendy]

twisted_ophelia, on Jul 9 2009, 05:35 PM, said:

So I painted the spokes yesterday! Also managed to spray paint half the grass in my backyard blue in the process but oh well.

Anyway, I did two coats of the primer and then two coats of the spray paint. Can't remember the brand I used but I can go check the bottle if anyone is interested. It actually fully adhered! Without the primer, there is no way that paint would have stuck to those spokes though. And you can kind of tell in some spots if you REALLY look closely that it didn't fully adhere. Overall it looks great. I'm going to put the Kenda tires on them this afternoon and I'll take a pic for you guys later. I'm pretty impressed with myself for actually making them look good, managing to not get paint all over the rest of the rims and all that. I used a TON of painter's tape to cover everything but the spokes. Now I just have to start using them and see how the paint holds up in general everyday wear and tear and use.

sounds good, cant wait to see the photos when you post them, could you let us know which paint you used sometime if possible, if they hold up ok i think i might get someone to do mine instead of paying out for new spokes, (cant do them myself as cant use aerosols with my lungs it sets me off big time) will watch this space to see how they wear etc
wendy

[twisted_ophelia]

I also added a pearlescent glossy coat over the blue. It looks like oyster shell, kind of. I sprayed the hand rims as well and let me tell you, it looks AWESOME. I have a pic I took with my phone but tomorrow I'll take a better one with my camera for you guys. The stuff probably isn't going to be super durable but I can always touch it up.

Edited to add that the paint I used was by Valspar. Primer (interior/exterior), flat Teal paint for plastics and metal, and Glossy Pearl. Also should mention that I am totally disappointed in the color of the Kenda Koncept iron cap tires (110 psi) I put on. My Kenda hybrid knobbys are a bright lemon yellow (sidewall) and I was expecting these Kendas to be the same but it's more like a mustard yellow. Not too impressed. I'll probably eventually switch them out for the Schwalbe Marathon Evolution Plus to give those a go when I have some more money kicking around. I'd like to give the 130-140 psi a try on those Schwalbes! I have not used the Koncepts before so I'm not sure how long they'll last. I'm pretty hard on my chairs!

Edited by twisted_ophelia, 11 July 2009 - 04:41 AM.

[twisted_ophelia]

Here's a pic of my spray painted rims. This was only with the first coat of the pearl over it so the purple is a little more vibrant now that I did another coat. The quality of the pic kinda sucks since I took it with my cell phone but it will give you guys an idea! Also, the green stuff is painters tape, just ignore it, I hadn't taken it off yet



I'm totally tempted to spray paint my side guards now.....

Edited by twisted_ophelia, 12 July 2009 - 04:28 PM.

[wheelywendy]

hey cool Twisted_ophelia they look really impressive

[twisted_ophelia]

wheelywendy, on Jul 12 2009, 01:49 PM, said:

hey cool Twisted_ophelia they look really impressive

Thanks! I'm not the best spray painter in the world and I was worried that the blue would just get all over the place but I had so much of that green painter's tape on there that it took me an hour to get it all off once I was done!

Edited by twisted_ophelia, 12 July 2009 - 10:02 PM.

[BenjaminLucas]

Beautiful!

[twisted_ophelia]

BenjaminLucas, on Jul 13 2009, 02:06 AM, said:

Beautiful!

Thank you!

Wait til me, you, and Ches get our hot pink/lime green Special Olympics t shirts....