Spoke tension
01-09-22, 12:29 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 18
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Spoke tension
I have just invested in a spoke tensioner. I tightened all the spokes to the same tension but now the wheel is wobbling all over the place. I thought I’d put too much tension on the spokes so released each spoke to the same lower tension but the wheel is still wobbly. It wasn’t when I started.
is this fixable??
is this fixable??
01-09-22, 01:34 PM
#2
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
Assuming that you're using the tensiometer correctly, you are discovering that we can't always have both equal tensions and perfect true. Wheel building and maintenance is often a compromise between the two.
Likes For ThermionicScott:
01-09-22, 03:25 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,971
Bikes: Habanero Titanium Team Nuevo
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 399 Post(s)
Liked 185 Times
in
121 Posts
You get the wheel true then take the tension and see variance. Tension within 10 % on each spoke great. Around joint of rim in can and usually varies the most. Front wheels no dish possible you can get near even.
In the real world too many variables to simply say even tension and the wheel done. The tension meter can even vary too.
In the real world too many variables to simply say even tension and the wheel done. The tension meter can even vary too.
Likes For deacon mark:
01-09-22, 03:46 PM
#4
So it is
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 21,333
Bikes: Luzerne, 684, Boreas, Wheelhouse, Alize©®, Bayamo, Cayo
Mentioned: 246 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11394 Post(s)
Liked 4,736 Times
in
2,758 Posts
As said, front wheel can be very close.
Getting the wheel true, then measuring tension, is key. If you see varying tensions, adjusting the spokes around the outlier is how you get them all close to even.
Getting the wheel true, then measuring tension, is key. If you see varying tensions, adjusting the spokes around the outlier is how you get them all close to even.
Likes For LAJ:
01-09-22, 04:47 PM
#5
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,782
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3587 Post(s)
Liked 3,398 Times
in
1,932 Posts
Minor variations in the rim extrusion and spoke diameters will affect tension readings, the higher the tension, the more pronounced they become. As others have noted, you compromise to minimize both variations in tension and wheel trueness and roundness.
01-09-22, 08:46 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Golden, CO and Tucson, AZ
Posts: 2,836
Bikes: 2016 Fuji Tread, 1983 Trek 520
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 675 Post(s)
Liked 741 Times
in
430 Posts
And if you're working with a older wheel, there may have been some damage in the past that was fixed by changing original spoke tension.
The answer to "is it fixable" depends on how true it was, or how damaged it was, when you started. Were you trying to fix a problem when you got the tensiometer?
The answer to "is it fixable" depends on how true it was, or how damaged it was, when you started. Were you trying to fix a problem when you got the tensiometer?
01-10-22, 12:29 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: South Shore of Long Island
Posts: 2,799
Bikes: 2010 Carrera Volans, 2015 C-Dale Trail 2sl, 2017 Raleigh Rush Hour, 2017 Blue Proseccio, 1992 Giant Perigee, 80s Gitane Rallye Tandem
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,022 Times
in
722 Posts
This is perfectly fine, just true from here and make it round again and recheck the tension. You'll find the tension isn't exactly perfect between the spokes but closer than it was. If the tension is a little low from the loosening you did thinking you over tensioned, you can do it again, get all the spokes to within the same spot. Another thing is I find best results is to do drive side first, then non-drive, then recheck drive side. When there are some spokes further out from the rest, getting the tension in line does effect the tension of the spokes on the other side of the wheel some. So giving the drive side a second look over before truing lets you catch that nd keep the tensions more even as you true it back up
01-10-22, 02:58 AM
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 18
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Spoke tension
Feel a bit of a clown, the wheel was fine before I started, I just thought I’d use my shiny new toy (tensioner) and get it perfect but it’s backfired!
01-10-22, 07:07 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Pioneer Valley
Posts: 984
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 319 Post(s)
Liked 724 Times
in
374 Posts
If you bought the park tool tensiometer, it should come with a chart to determine tension based on spoke gauge and lacing.
https://www.parktool.com/assets/doc/...conv-table.pdf
What was your reason for buying the tool? I usually use one for building wheels and sometimes for repairs when a wheel needs to be retensioned but for normal maintenance or shouldn’t be necessary.
https://www.parktool.com/assets/doc/...conv-table.pdf
What was your reason for buying the tool? I usually use one for building wheels and sometimes for repairs when a wheel needs to be retensioned but for normal maintenance or shouldn’t be necessary.
01-10-22, 07:39 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Golden, CO and Tucson, AZ
Posts: 2,836
Bikes: 2016 Fuji Tread, 1983 Trek 520
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 675 Post(s)
Liked 741 Times
in
430 Posts
Like tuning a stringed instrument--a good tuner gets close enough pretty fast by ear, but a machine makes it nearly perfect faster. Being able to tune by ear is a good skill to have anyway.
01-10-22, 07:40 AM
#14
...
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Whitestone and Rensselaerville, New York
Posts: 1,501
Bikes: Bicycles? Yup.
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 478 Post(s)
Liked 1,573 Times
in
731 Posts
Cm69.gb,
It's pretty amazing but, we can move a rim centimeters left or right by tightening one side and loosening the other with a spoke wrench. Definitely check out some videos. You only need a spoke wrench and patience to get started.
It's pretty amazing but, we can move a rim centimeters left or right by tightening one side and loosening the other with a spoke wrench. Definitely check out some videos. You only need a spoke wrench and patience to get started.
01-10-22, 08:15 AM
#15
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 18
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Spoke tension
Well after a bit of patience and a spoke wrench, I’ve fixed my problem! Need to test ride it now to make sure it doesn’t collapse!
01-10-22, 09:46 AM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,805
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1943 Post(s)
Liked 2,164 Times
in
1,323 Posts
You put the spokes through a lot of gyrations. Make sure you stress relieve the wheel first.
John
John
Likes For 70sSanO:
01-10-22, 10:59 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,840
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2337 Post(s)
Liked 2,818 Times
in
1,539 Posts
park has added a bunch of stuff on wheel building and truing and even has an online gizmo to see tension variance
remember wheel building and truing is art and experience
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...-build-a-wheel
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...l-truing-works
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...and-rim-truing
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...on-measurement
remember wheel building and truing is art and experience
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...-build-a-wheel
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...l-truing-works
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...and-rim-truing
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...on-measurement
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
01-10-22, 11:04 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,371
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2482 Post(s)
Liked 2,952 Times
in
1,677 Posts
Likes For Trakhak:
01-10-22, 12:03 PM
#19
Newbie
There’s a good book here that may help you understand what’s going on and how to use your tensionometer- https://www.wheelpro.co.uk/wheelbuilding/book.php
01-10-22, 02:33 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 4,471
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 960 Post(s)
Liked 1,626 Times
in
1,044 Posts
I find my spoke tension tool a real gem but it is usually used after I do the Ping Thing and find changes. FUN Fun fun!!!
__________________
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
01-11-22, 05:06 PM
#21
Really Old Senior Member
This is the method I use on old wheels.
I determine an average tension per side by going around the wheel with the tension meter.
Spokes that are higher than average get a RED clip for each division (typically). 3 Divisions get a YELLOW.
BLACK = 1 low & Green = 3 low.
Sometimes you have to adjust values for wheels that are way out of wack.
I now see the forest AND the trees.
You can see how sometimes a few trees can be out of tension, but work well enough to give a true wheel.....until you hit something.
I simply cannot tune by pitch. I don't know if it's my Aspergers or one of my attention disorders.
I can tell the tone is different, but I can't remember which is higher. That drives ME up a wall because how can I NOT remember something that occurs seconds before?
I determine an average tension per side by going around the wheel with the tension meter.
Spokes that are higher than average get a RED clip for each division (typically). 3 Divisions get a YELLOW.
BLACK = 1 low & Green = 3 low.
Sometimes you have to adjust values for wheels that are way out of wack.
I now see the forest AND the trees.
You can see how sometimes a few trees can be out of tension, but work well enough to give a true wheel.....until you hit something.
I simply cannot tune by pitch. I don't know if it's my Aspergers or one of my attention disorders.
I can tell the tone is different, but I can't remember which is higher. That drives ME up a wall because how can I NOT remember something that occurs seconds before?
