First time re-truing success

Spudboy
Spudboy Posts: 101
edited August 2013 in Workshop
Well after studying all the info I could on the interweb I took the plunge and decided to retrue my rear wheel (36 hole Mavic OpenPro with Cx-Ray spokes) rather then give it to the LBS to do a poorly tensioned job (again). Although I wouldn't call myself an expert mechanic I know my way well enough around the bike but have always thought of the wheel build as a black art. I can now confirm it's not (as possibly most of you except me knew!). I accept of course that good wheelbuilding is a skill and one that not enough LBS's have!

I made a spoke holder for the baded spokes from some wood and proceeded to slowly and methodically work the wheel. I don't have a tension meter for the spokes but think the tensions are as even as I can get without one. I've stress relieved and to be honest I can't believe how true the wheel is both laterally and radially, looks to be comfortably sub 0.5mm. OK so the wheel wasn't exactly in tatters when I started but it had significant brake rub as one spoke had unwound a great deal and had little tension.

Obvioulsy the test will be after a few 100 miles but certainly better than the last re-true from the LBS. Anyway I'm well chuffed and there's a great feeling of satisfaction being able to maintain the bike.

Here's to home fettling!

Comments

  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    Ah - well done ...

    I've rebuilt a wheel on a new hub ... not brave enough to try it on a ride though - so it's a turbo wheel ... doesn't hurt so much if it breaks on there! ;)
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    Methinks you are a wizard sire, well done :)
  • laurentian
    laurentian Posts: 2,548
    Spudboy wrote:
    Well after studying all the info I could on the interweb I took the plunge and decided to retrue my rear wheel (36 hole Mavic OpenPro with Cx-Ray spokes) rather then give it to the LBS to do a poorly tensioned job (again). Although I wouldn't call myself an expert mechanic I know my way well enough around the bike but have always thought of the wheel build as a black art. I can now confirm it's not (as possibly most of you except me knew!). I accept of course that good wheelbuilding is a skill and one that not enough LBS's have!

    I made a spoke holder for the baded spokes from some wood and proceeded to slowly and methodically work the wheel. I don't have a tension meter for the spokes but think the tensions are as even as I can get without one. I've stress relieved and to be honest I can't believe how true the wheel is both laterally and radially, looks to be comfortably sub 0.5mm. OK so the wheel wasn't exactly in tatters when I started but it had significant brake rub as one spoke had unwound a great deal and had little tension.

    Obvioulsy the test will be after a few 100 miles but certainly better than the last re-true from the LBS. Anyway I'm well chuffed and there's a great feeling of satisfaction being able to maintain the bike.

    Here's to home fettling!


    I'm tentatively thinking of doing the same to my wheels but nervous of royally screwing it up - would you be kind enough to show me which parts of t'interweb you used as reference as I've looked at a few youtube vids that are not entirely clear to me.

    Thanks in anticipation
    Wilier Izoard XP
  • Spudboy
    Spudboy Posts: 101
    I'm tentatively thinking of doing the same to my wheels but nervous of royally screwing it up - would you be kind enough to show me which parts of t'interweb you used as reference as I've looked at a few youtube vids that are not entirely clear to me.

    I found this quite helpful: http://bikemagic.com/gear/how-to/mounta ... asics.html

    I can't remember specifically which vids i looked at now but Google "wheel truing" and you will find plenty of help.

    Some amateur tips would be:

    Make sure you know which way to turn the spoke nipple (sounds stupid but...)
    Quarter turns at a time (unless an individual spoke is obviously under tensioned)
    Work methodically
    Remember to pull a wheel back in you should work over an area of spokes rather than just one.

    When you stop to think about the physics of it all it's not rocket science. Don't rush, think, enjoy and good luck! :)
  • laurentian
    laurentian Posts: 2,548
    Spudboy wrote:
    I'm tentatively thinking of doing the same to my wheels but nervous of royally screwing it up - would you be kind enough to show me which parts of t'interweb you used as reference as I've looked at a few youtube vids that are not entirely clear to me.

    I found this quite helpful: http://bikemagic.com/gear/how-to/mounta ... asics.html

    I can't remember specifically which vids i looked at now but Google "wheel truing" and you will find plenty of help.

    Some amateur tips would be:

    Make sure you know which way to turn the spoke nipple (sounds stupid but...)
    Quarter turns at a time (unless an individual spoke is obviously under tensioned)
    Work methodically
    Remember to pull a wheel back in you should work over an area of spokes rather than just one.

    When you stop to think about the physics of it all it's not rocket science. Don't rush, think, enjoy and good luck! :)

    Thanks - I'll try to give it a go over the weekend . . .
    Wilier Izoard XP

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