A spoke wrench or spoke key is a small wrench or tool used to adjust the tension in the spokes of a bicycle wheel, sulky wheel, wheelchair wheel, or similar wheel. A spoke wrench is sometimes called a nipple wrench, as it is the spoke nipple - not the spoke - that is turned in the process of changing the tension of a spoke.
Famous quotes containing the words spoke and/or wrench:
““You’ll have me over the cliff,” he exclaimed hardly ever yet putting out his strength against her.
“And so I will, by the help of God. Now think of her! Now think of her!” And as she spoke she pressed him backwards towards his fall.”
—Anthony Trollope (1815–1882)
“That is what we must make people feel... the catch in the throat, the wrench to steady the nerves, the determination to carry on.”
—John Dos Passos (1896–1970)