Loose Spokes
davepiggott13
Posts: 95
I'm not sure how relevant any of this is so i'll include it all: My rear tyre got a puncture the other day (Carrera Kraken '07with standard wheels/tyres). I took it to Halfords and they fixed it under warranty as it was something to do with the rim tape (something on inside of inner tube rather than something i'd ridden over). Took the bike out first time today since fix, felt like i had buckled or loose rear wheel. Checked and it seems perfectly fitted and spins right without any wobble. I did however notice some of the spokes were loose. Also the tyre pressure seemed low. Pumped tyre back up and hasnt gone down so i think Halfords left it under-inflated as opposed to a slow puncture. Now i think I've worked out that the spokes can be tightened by turning the squared bit of it nearest the rim. Before i do it i wanted to know if i will run into any problems by doing this while it is still on the bike, and by default still has a fully inflated inner tube on it. Or do i need to remove the wheel, tyre and inner tube then do it. Do i need to replace the rim tape, and if so will any kind of tape do or is it specialised? I know i ought to just take it backto Halfords (again) but to be honest i'd rather learn a bit more about her, and also don't want to have to wait if it's something i can do myself this evening.I really hope somebody who knows will say it's ok for me to simply tighten them up. But then nothing's been that simple yet lol. Thanks in advance for your advice.
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Tightening one spoke will pull the wheel to one side, tightening it's neighbour will pull it the other way.
Not only have you got to make sure the rim stays true and central; but you've also got to check it stays round. Truing a wheel is something of a black art!
Don't move any spoke more than 1/4 of a turn without checking the wheels still correct and take your time!
I nearly forgot, you are support to remove the tyre and rim tape; but for small adjustments it's not really necessary.0 -
Oh dear, not gonna risk it as it's under warranty. Will drop it back to Halfords in the morning. Think i'll learn that art another time.
Thanks for the speedy reply.
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Not unusual for spokes to loosen a bit, or be slacker on factory built wheels.
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Loose spokes mean the wheel build is crud. It was NOT built properly and will not take any load. The fact its been ridden with loose spokes means they have been stressed and fatigued
Take it back and ask for a new wheel, its not fit for the purpose
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Without meaning to sound dumb, am i to take it by your description 'stressed and fatigued' that if they simply tightened them up the wheel would no longer be any good?
The wheel has already been taken back once and straightened after becoming buckled (in the incident with the two bikes/roof mounted bike holders/low barrier that we don't discuss). It seemed ok after getting it back until today (following the repair of the puncture). I'm guessing they buggered it up either this time or last time. An awful lot of them are loose. If it was one or two i would just tighten them myself. Thanks for your replies.
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Just because the spokes have come loose doesn't mean the wheel needs to be scrapped. It's quite normal for spokes to come loose; and yes they can just be re-tightened.
My money is on the fact they just buggered the repair up last time. Having a buckled rim can make it very difficult to get the spokes tentions correct / high enough all the way around.
When I used to build wheels I often used to tie and solder them. It used to be common practice for heavier riders to do this. However, it's somewhat gone out of fashion due to better rims / price. I would ask how much they would charge you to do this. If they look at you blank then pick the bike up and go somewhere else!0 -
On this subject does anyone make a spoke spanner with torque metre? I'd like to buy one but if using it would like to know I'm not over/under tightening my spokes
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If the wheel is was buckled badly, and the rim warped, you may never be able to get even tension back in the wheel, and spokes will continually come loose. Unfortunately this is not warranty as you pranged it! Without seeing it in the flesh its hard to see: at least hey have given it a go it seems, but you may need to bite the bullet and get a new wheel.
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Thanks for all the comments. I've had the bike back and been for a ride and it seems ok again - certainly no noticeable wobble like before. They have fixed it each time it's been in for nothing. If it continues to play up I may have to do exactly what you say and buy a new wheel. And then bill the wife ...
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Hehe, good plan! Keep checking though - you dont want it to fail suddenly mid ride.
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<font color="red">Me!</font id="red">
<font color="purple">MYSPACE</font id="purple"><hr noshade size="1"><font color="red">Park Tools - help and instructions for all general bike fixes</font id="red">
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<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
buy a new wheel. And then bill the wife ...
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Careful with that. You never know what she might start billing you for [:D]
Des0
