The expat cyclist Posted July 30, 2017 Posted July 30, 2017 So I bent my bikes rear wheel recently (crashed)The wheel was not badly bent at all. I took it to an lbs to get straightened. Got it back and it was perfectly true. When I got it home I lightly pulled on the spokes. The one spoke had almost no tension on it. It moved side to side by almost 1cm Sure I can take it back to the lbs and complain about it but I only paid R100. Clearly they were not concerned about spoke tension. If the wheel is perfectly true, how important is spoke tension?
Rigardt@Scott Posted July 30, 2017 Posted July 30, 2017 Very important. The next time you have impact on that spot where the spoke is loose the rim will either bend or develop a flat spot. Rather get it sorted before you ride again.
ichnusa Posted July 30, 2017 Posted July 30, 2017 Having evenly tensioned spokes are more important than having a true wheel...
porqui Posted July 30, 2017 Posted July 30, 2017 Having evenly tensioned spokes are more important than having a true wheel... ?
The expat cyclist Posted July 30, 2017 Author Posted July 30, 2017 Take it to Dirkie at bruce'sRob at RBSC Or David Funny thing is, one of your suggestions is where the wheel went.Like I said, I could take it back and complain and give them the opportunity to fix it. But the thing is, funny enough, my wife broke a spoke on her wheel so I am taking it elsewhere, so I might as well take my wheel there too.
rudi-h Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 very important... i bought a new bike in April and after 1300km's I snapped 2 spokes. It's a quality bike and wheelset, so the only explanation is spokes being too tight straight out of the shop.
Paul Ruinaard Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 Once the rim is weakened in one direction its toast. This issue will crop up again and again. dont know what you ride or how hard or high you go and how big you are i.e. why did it bend in the first place, but its always a risk. Rather replace and re-spoke . that if you like your front teeth. If you unevenly tension to create a "true" wheel then the rim is inherently toast already....
Jewbacca Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 very important... i bought a new bike in April and after 1300km's I snapped 2 spokes. It's a quality bike and wheelset, so the only explanation is spokes being too tight straight out of the shop.Hi rudi That is not entirely true. If the wheels had something leaning on them, were leaned on something, had stresses put on them in transit etc at any stage it could cause the spokes to break. Oten over tensioned spokes will pull the nipple through the rim, but stressed spokes will break at the J bend or near the butting... I am not saying you are wrong, just suggesting it's not 'the only reason' for spokes to break
Martin PJ Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 I think wheel building is a bit of a dark art. I built a front wheel and with loose spokes the spokes start breaking. As they break, I have replaced the broken spokes, tightening up the spokes and making sure the tension is even. With time the wheel has appeared more stable, less prone to breaking spokes. I think the problem comes when the rim is slightly buckled and you need to true the wheel up using spoke tension, you will never get the spoke tension even.
droo Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 OP - if you need uneven tension to get the rim straight, it's bent. Speak to the wheelbuilder that worked on your wheel and see if this is the case. If it is you'll have to replace it. On spokes breaking - this isn't caused by tension, it's caused by fatigue, either due to using straight gauge spokes or not stress relieving the wheel once it's been tensioned. Even spoke tension of between 100 and 130 kgf will give you the strongest wheel.
The expat cyclist Posted July 31, 2017 Author Posted July 31, 2017 OP - if you need uneven tension to get the rim straight, it's bent. Speak to the wheelbuilder that worked on your wheel and see if this is the case. If it is you'll have to replace it. On spokes breaking - this isn't caused by tension, it's caused by fatigue, either due to using straight gauge spokes or not stress relieving the wheel once it's been tensioned. Even spoke tension of between 100 and 130 kgf will give you the strongest wheel.To be honest, I would be ok with replacing the rim if needed. My frustration is just that I would expect the guys that know to tell you: "Dude, the spoke tension is uneven. We suggest you replace the rim but it is your choice."
droo Posted July 31, 2017 Posted July 31, 2017 To be honest, I would be ok with replacing the rim if needed. My frustration is just that I would expect the guys that know to tell you: "Dude, the spoke tension is uneven. We suggest you replace the rim but it is your choice." Take it to Dave Marshall. He'll do it properly.
Wil6 Posted August 1, 2017 Posted August 1, 2017 Hi guys Did not want to start a new topic. I have a set of newly built Carbon wheels. Only did 100km on them. I have noticed one very loose spoke, and the spoke tension on both wheels are uneven. Is this just a bad build, or am I missing something?
droo Posted August 1, 2017 Posted August 1, 2017 Hi guys Did not want to start a new topic. I have a set of newly built Carbon wheels. Only did 100km on them. I have noticed one very loose spoke, and the spoke tension on both wheels are uneven. Is this just a bad build, or am I missing something? Definitely not built properly.
Wil6 Posted August 2, 2017 Posted August 2, 2017 Definitely not built properly.Thanks for the reply. Will take it back. Luckily no damage was done
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