They may but I have also seen some cause cracks to developed right on the out side of the washer were the rim forced the washer to bend. But it is probably better to have any washer then none. But if the correct washer is available I would take those over hardware ones. Steven Willis The Bike Stand 1778 East Second Street Scotch Plains NJ 07076 908-322-3330 http://www.thebikestand.com
> Steven Willis wrote:
>
>> I have some and I would use a washer and yes a washer from a hardware
>> store may work. Most washers I have seen are curved to fit the rim is
>> about all I can think of between a hardware store and bike store washer.
>
> Once the spoke is tensioned, the flat hardware store washer will develop
> the proper curve anyway.
>
> --
>
> -John Thompson (john@os2.dhs.org)
> Appleton WI USA