Despoking Wheels

Despoking a wheel is often the first task a volunteer does. It's definitely a good one to start with. The co-op benefits by getting unserviceable wheels converted into several useable parts, and the volunteer benefits by doing a relatively easy and interesting task, getting experience using spoke wrenches and a feel for spoke tension, and learning about the parts of a wheel and about how wheels are constructed.

Preparation
Before you start despoking a wheel, it should have all parts which are not built into it removed. This of course includes its tire and inner tube, but also the rim strip. Tires go on the sort rack, tubes on the sort hook, and rim strips hang on the wheel bins. Cloth rim strips are not re-useable. If the wheel has a quick release hub, you should remove the skewer. Skewers (with their springs!) are kept in a box in the cabinet in the shop that is covered in stickers. For rear wheels, GEARS MUST BE REMOVED!