What to do about loose spokes?
07-22-11, 01:13 PM
#1
incazzare.
Thread Starter
What to do about loose spokes?
Hello,
I recently bought a used bike. After I got it home I noticed that several of the spokes on the front wheel are fairly loose, and I'm wondering how to approach this problem. I can true a wheel that's a bit off with no problem, but I have never built a wheel. Should I get all the spokes to a uniform tightness and then true it up? How would you deal with this?
I recently bought a used bike. After I got it home I noticed that several of the spokes on the front wheel are fairly loose, and I'm wondering how to approach this problem. I can true a wheel that's a bit off with no problem, but I have never built a wheel. Should I get all the spokes to a uniform tightness and then true it up? How would you deal with this?
07-22-11, 03:06 PM
#3
incazzare.
Thread Starter
07-22-11, 03:10 PM
#4
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It depends on why the spokes are loose. If they wheel was just poorly built with inadequate tension, just tighten the spokes and then true the entire wheel. If they are loose because the rim is bent in that area (say from an impact) then you will never get it true, round and uniformly tensioned all at the same time.
07-22-11, 03:25 PM
#5
incazzare.
Thread Starter
It depends on why the spokes are loose. If they wheel was just poorly built with inadequate tension, just tighten the spokes and then true the entire wheel. If they are loose because the rim is bent in that area (say from an impact) then you will never get it true, round and uniformly tensioned all at the same time.
07-22-11, 03:53 PM
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Messing with wheels can be quite intimidating at first. After you do a few, whether it be truing, or even building, you will be a lot more comfortable with it.
I used to build my own wheels when I raced BMX in the '80s and never had a problem. I just recently (last week) built my first 26" wheel. It was off of a MTB that I am converting to single speed. It is also my first dished wheel. Turned out great.
One tip: make sure you have a good spoke wrench of the proper size, or if you use a screw driver on the nipples (tire/tube/rimstrip removed of course) make sure it is the right size and hollow ground.
Keep us posted on how it works out for ya.
I used to build my own wheels when I raced BMX in the '80s and never had a problem. I just recently (last week) built my first 26" wheel. It was off of a MTB that I am converting to single speed. It is also my first dished wheel. Turned out great.
One tip: make sure you have a good spoke wrench of the proper size, or if you use a screw driver on the nipples (tire/tube/rimstrip removed of course) make sure it is the right size and hollow ground.
Keep us posted on how it works out for ya.
