spokes

clarkson

how do you knopw when they need re-tensioning? just had a wheel built and was told they may need re-tensioning after a while, but not sure what the signs are.

Big Red S

The wheel going a little out of true is usually a sign that something's up.

In general, if it stays straight it's probably all good, unless they actually feel loose.

clarkson

ok thanks brs, will keep an eye out.

rogerwp

The person who built your wheel is the best person to ask. If he's acustomed to to retensioning his builds then he'll know when things are likelel to go wrong and the signs to look out for. Can't give you any specifics because I don't retension my wheelbuilds, they stay tight.

Roger

Ticaboy

Couple of pointers:

1) Spin the wheel, and see if it wiggles either side-to-side, or bobs up and down slightly. If either of the above, then some spokes (not necessarily all) may need tensioning.

2) Look at the spokes, there are (if laced in the "normal" way) pairs of spokes (on the same side as each other) that appear to run almost parallel to each other. Give them a squeeze together (wearing thick gardening gloves just in case), and do this for all "pairs" both sides of the wheel. You should feel when some spokes are loose compared to others.

3) Take something metal and tap it on a spoke lightly. Listen to the tone. Then do the same for the next ones around the wheel. You should hear when one is duller than the others. The sound/tone might be different between the two sides, so only compare the "ting" of same side spokes.