Takes spikes off? (7)

I believe the answer is:

unlaces

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'off?' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't judge whether it can be defined by this definition.

'takes spikes' is the wordplay.
'takes' becomes 'un' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'spikes' becomes 'laces' ('lace' can be a synonym of 'spike').
'un'+'laces'='UNLACES'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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