Spoke Wrench
A spoke wrench is a basic but essential tool used by bicycle mechanics to adjust and tighten the spokes on bicycle wheels. When someone mentions this in their resume, it shows they have hands-on experience with wheel maintenance and repair. Think of it like a tiny adjustable wrench specially designed for bicycle wheel work. Mechanics use this tool to true (straighten) wheels, replace broken spokes, and perform general wheel maintenance. It's often listed alongside other bicycle repair tools and skills, and seeing it on a resume indicates practical experience in bicycle wheel maintenance.
Examples in Resumes
Performed wheel truing and maintenance using Spoke Wrench and related tools
Expert in wheel repair including Spoke Wrench techniques and spoke replacement
Trained junior mechanics in proper Spoke Wrench usage for wheel maintenance
Typical job title: "Bicycle Mechanics"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Bicycle Mechanics
Online Communities
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you train a new mechanic in wheel truing techniques?
Expected Answer: A senior mechanic should explain their teaching process, including safety procedures, proper spoke wrench selection, tension measurement, and how to identify and fix common wheel problems systematically.
Q: What's your process for diagnosing and fixing a severely out-of-true wheel?
Expected Answer: They should describe a methodical approach to assessing wheel damage, checking spoke tension, identifying bent parts, and the step-by-step process of correction while maintaining proper spoke tension.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the different types of spoke wrenches and when do you use each?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain common spoke wrench sizes, their applications for different bikes, and why certain types are preferred for specific wheel builds.
Q: How do you maintain proper spoke tension when truing a wheel?
Expected Answer: Should explain the balance between spoke adjustment and overall wheel tension, including the use of tension meters and pattern adjustment techniques.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is wheel truing and why is it important?
Expected Answer: Should explain that truing makes wheels run straight and round by adjusting spoke tension, and why this matters for bike safety and performance.
Q: How do you determine which size spoke wrench to use?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of basic spoke nipple sizes and how to select the correct tool size to prevent damage to the nipples.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-1 years)
- Basic wheel truing
- Spoke replacement
- Tool identification
- Basic maintenance
Mid (1-3 years)
- Advanced wheel truing
- Custom wheel building
- Tension measurement
- Problem diagnosis
Senior (3+ years)
- Expert wheel building
- Training and supervision
- Complex repair solutions
- Quality control
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to identify basic spoke wrench sizes
- No hands-on wheel truing experience
- Lack of knowledge about proper spoke tension
- No understanding of wheel building basics
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
Workforce Solutions Aggregators: The Next Big Thing You Didn't Know You Needed
Digital Apprenticeships: Crafting the Future Workforce Pipeline
Forget Coding—Can You Communicate? Why Soft Skills are the New Hard Skills
