Preventative spoke maintenance ?

kevperro · 10-16-2022, 10:17 PM

Well.... I'm no authority but I bought a torque wrench for the purpose and used it on my new bike. It threw everything out of true, which after doing it I was like duh, that was stupid.

To keep true the spokes are tightened differently. If you tighten them all the same it pulls out of true (unless you are extraordinarily lucky). And yes I did work my way around the rim slowly bringing them up to torque progressively 1/4 turn at a time, with the 2-spoke skipping method. I also lubed all the spokes which are brand new anyway.

So I don't know but I snugged them good, then I trued it and mounted it up. Some of the spokes are 25-30ft-lbs, but some of them are looser. I'll ride it, then inspect it for any loose spokes and snug them up if they are loose. After they all set into place I might pull the wheel and try to get the rest of them close to torque and check them on my balancing stand to make sure the wheel is still true.

The bottom line is the wheel needs to be round and straight and the absolute spoke torque settings are secondary to

Thumper · 10-17-2022, 08:59 AM

kev is right, it isn't a torque specification:

Spokes don't just hold the wheel onto the hub. Wheels are "trued" by adjusting spoke length. They keep the wheel round and straight. Truing is kind of an art, but you can usually find an expert at a good bike shop.

I've had my bicycle wheels trued many times. Same thing, just heavier duty. In the old days before "wheels", truing skills were more common.

Bill Hilly · 10-17-2022, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thumper

kev is right, it isn't a torque specification:

Spokes don't just hold the wheel onto the hub. Wheels are "trued" by adjusting spoke length. They keep the wheel round and straight. Truing is kind of an art, but you can usually find an expert at a good bike shop.

I've had my bicycle wheels trued many times. Same thing, just heavier duty. In the old days before "wheels", truing skills were more common.

So am I best to just keep checking for loose spokes, and doing the " sound check" ?

severely · 10-17-2022, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Hilly

So am I best to just keep checking for loose spokes, and doing the " sound check" ?

I suggest you take some time and tension the spokes equally. Start at the valve stem and tension near spoke and count spokes to 7 and tension spoke, continue around the rim. Continue until all spokes are fairly evenly tensioned, listen for the sound. The reason for uneven spoke tensioning is it evenly distributes tension around the rim to ease truing and balance. Do both rims and go for a ride. Ride quality and handling should be improved. Good luck. You should only have to do this a couple times if done thoroughly.

Thumper · 10-17-2022, 07:32 PM

Truing a wheel is a measured process. Pacific Mike demonstrates The up/down, and the left/right adjustments. You need to do this with the no tire on the wheel. A truing stand isn't that expensive, but if you want to have a round wheel that does not wobble, you need a truing stand.

There are many youtube videos showing how people approach this.
Here is a dirt bike wheel build

Maybe you can just get the wheel off the ground (tire still mounted) like this guy on the dirt bike wheel, and use the swing arm or forks as a truing stand. You can't just tighten loose spokes and end up with a true wheel. You've got to spin the wheel and observe how true it is.

Pacific Mike DOES torque them, but he also checks them after torquing.

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10-16-2022, 10:17 PM	#1
kevperro Join Date: May 2022 Location: Washington Posts: 25	Well.... I'm no authority but I bought a torque wrench for the purpose and used it on my new bike. It threw everything out of true, which after doing it I was like duh, that was stupid. To keep true the spokes are tightened differently. If you tighten them all the same it pulls out of true (unless you are extraordinarily lucky). And yes I did work my way around the rim slowly bringing them up to torque progressively 1/4 turn at a time, with the 2-spoke skipping method. I also lubed all the spokes which are brand new anyway. So I don't know but I snugged them good, then I trued it and mounted it up. Some of the spokes are 25-30ft-lbs, but some of them are looser. I'll ride it, then inspect it for any loose spokes and snug them up if they are loose. After they all set into place I might pull the wheel and try to get the rest of them close to torque and check them on my balancing stand to make sure the wheel is still true. The bottom line is the wheel needs to be round and straight and the absolute spoke torque settings are secondary to
	3

10-17-2022, 08:59 AM	#2
Thumper Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Kansas City Posts: 2,970	kev is right, it isn't a torque specification: Spokes don't just hold the wheel onto the hub. Wheels are "trued" by adjusting spoke length. They keep the wheel round and straight. Truing is kind of an art, but you can usually find an expert at a good bike shop. I've had my bicycle wheels trued many times. Same thing, just heavier duty. In the old days before "wheels", truing skills were more common.
	1

10-17-2022, 07:32 PM	#5
Thumper Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Kansas City Posts: 2,970	Truing a wheel is a measured process. Pacific Mike demonstrates The up/down, and the left/right adjustments. You need to do this with the no tire on the wheel. A truing stand isn't that expensive, but if you want to have a round wheel that does not wobble, you need a truing stand. There are many youtube videos showing how people approach this. Here is a dirt bike wheel build Maybe you can just get the wheel off the ground (tire still mounted) like this guy on the dirt bike wheel, and use the swing arm or forks as a truing stand. You can't just tighten loose spokes and end up with a true wheel. You've got to spin the wheel and observe how true it is. Pacific Mike DOES torque them, but he also checks them after torquing.
	1