Spokes loosening over time
03-23-19, 03:11 PM
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Spokes loosening over time
So I built a wheel with stuff I had on hand, some new steel spokes and brass nips left over from long ago, ancient Rigida rim, and ancient-er Bendix coaster hub. All in good condition. After a good solid year of use, mostly commuting and some evening recreational rides, I noticed the familiar "crinkling" sound of spokes that are not up to tension. Sure enough some of the spokes were pretty sloppy, though I originally tensioned the wheel pretty well. I've brought it back up to reasonable tension, and the wheel rides just fine.
Any idea what would cause spokes to wriggle loose over time? Will this be a recurring issue?
Any idea what would cause spokes to wriggle loose over time? Will this be a recurring issue?
03-23-19, 03:18 PM
#2
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Generally, it's from riding the bike that causes them to loosen.
03-23-19, 05:05 PM
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Assuming the spoke/nipple threads aren't defective, you didn't use enough tension.
03-23-19, 05:58 PM
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As per @Bill Kapaun, use enough tension. And perhaps a thread-lock. I like boiled linseed oil; it lubricates the threads while you're building the wheel, then hardens over a couple days, and a lifetime supply will only set you back a few dollars.
03-23-19, 07:21 PM
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That's good news. So I've cranked up the tension quite a bit. I don't have a gage, but I have a good ear. This is a new problem -- it just started making noise this spring. Hopefully I've done no damage -- i.e., via cyclic loading of the spoke heads.
This was supposed to be "throw a wheel together from spares to see if the bike is worth keeping." It's become my favorite bike. Funny how that works.
This was supposed to be "throw a wheel together from spares to see if the bike is worth keeping." It's become my favorite bike. Funny how that works.
03-23-19, 07:30 PM
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Hub brakes do stress the spokes during both accelerations and braking, and braking forces are higher. Rim brakes eliminate this second and greater cause of stress cycles. Andy
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