I've just had to repair my cycling shoes, my steel wire lace snapped and BOA sent me a repair kit. The included paper instructions are NOT easy to follow, firstly I'd strongly recommend ignoring it and watch their video instead.
Tip 1: if you are using cycling shoes or similar, then the included wire is enough for TWO replacements. I cut mine in half and then knew I had plenty for tying the spool. The spools are made long enough to wind up a lot more than most people need.
First tip is to tie it as instructed, but feel free to leave a fair bit free one end, then use a small screwdriver to point it upwards, and then you can cut it close to the spool and then push it back in.
Second tip: it's very hard to pull the loop inside the spool tight to the edge, because it springs right back unless you are pulling the laces very tightly. What I found worked well was to pull the loop tight and then insert a 5mm drill bit, you can then check that the lace ends are tucked in, and then put the drill bit onto the shoe's mounting post and then push the spool down while gently pulling the lace ends without disrupting anything.
