Sound of the Spokes

[spandex]

I beg to differ. I'm not a pro wheel builder, far from it, but my relatively inexpensive homebuilt wheels are built true and stay true BECAUSE they have even spoke tension.

I would love to test one of your wheels just to show you how different the tension is. I have been building wheels for years for my self and overs. There is not much I have not seen...

 

[NickM]

I have been building wheels for years...

Likewise. I agree with porkypete that audibly equal spoke tension is the single most important factor in building wheels that will remain true in the long term. I consider this more critical than absolute trueness; my wheels are built as true as they can be without having grossly differing spoke tension, rather than as true as they can possibly be regardless of spoke tension differences. It works for me... and for the numerous other people I've built wheels for.

Maybe your tensiometer would reveal tension differences in my wheels which cannot be demonstrated any other way... but I have never needed a tensiometer to build wheels which are true, and stay that way.

 

[spandex]

Just to let you know I never go by tension apart from getting the wheel round and then it is just a guide.

 

[jimboalee]

Sounds like an argument brewing about spoke tension.

As long as the rim runs true and the spokes are within their 'usable' range and DON'T break, who gives a toss?

I take my home built wheels to the LBS to check the spoke tension with their tensiometer. I am usually about three parts the way up the 'usable' limit. The rim runs true so I am happy.

Without the tensiometer test, I get nervous about them being over tensioned.

 

[PpPete]

I would love to test one of your wheels just to show you how different the tension is. I have been building wheels for years for my self and overs. There is not much I have not seen...

Far from wanting an argument.... , I'd love to build a wheel for you to test, for my own interest as much as anything. You going to send me hub, rim & spokes?

Seriously - what do you consider a significant percentage difference in tension?

 

[spandex]

All good wheel builders know or should know that tension dose play some point in wheel building. As in most DB spokes can take upto 26lbs and a strong wheel is around 20lbs but it is a given that you should give or take 10% in the tension (ie if most of your spokes are at 20lbs the rest should be somewhere around 18 - 22 lbs)

 

[I am Spartacus]

well.. been on 2 further rides.. .. now I have got my 'ear' in , the spokes seem and hear ok for now... so back to Wiggo.................................