Wheelbuilding: Issues with radial true on the rear

Nuggs

Hi Gang

I'm in the process of building my first set of wheels.

The front's been finished, no problems (took ages though!). All nice and true.

The rear's not been so easy. There are two low spots on the radial true. Problem is that the drive side is fully-tensioned, I cannot put any more in there. Any more tension on the NDS means I'll pull it out of lateral true.

The relative spoke tensions are pretty good on both sides.

I can't for the life of me figure out how to correct the radial true and keep everything else in shape.

Any tips?

Monty Dog

Release the spokes on both sides of the rim at the low spot e.g. half-turn and then tighten up the opposite spokes by the same amount - should keep your tension even.

Nuggs

Monty Dog wrote:

Release the spokes on both sides of the rim at the low spot e.g. half-turn and then tighten up the opposite spokes by the same amount - should keep your tension even.

Thanks MD, I'll give it a go.

However, won't loosening the spokes throw the dishing out?

Monty Dog

Not if you adjust the spokes on both sides of the rim evenly

synchronicity

Unless you have a perfectly round/straight rim, identical spokes and super accurate hub flanges, pick two of the following:

1) Even spoke tension
2) Laterally true
3) Radially true

Nuggs

synchronicity wrote:

Unless you have a perfectly round/straight rim, identical spokes and super accurate hub flanges, pick two of the following:

1) Even spoke tension
2) Laterally true
3) Radially true

Woo hoo! That's a much better answer that makes me feel like less of an engineering muppet!

Nuggs

Monty Dog wrote:

Release the spokes on both sides of the rim at the low spot e.g. half-turn and then tighten up the opposite spokes by the same amount - should keep your tension even.

Great tip - wheel's much rounder now!

Thanks again