Truing Mavic Aksiums

[goo_mason]

I was giving the bike a clean tonight and noticed that three of the non-drive side spokes on my rear Mavic Aksium wheel were extremely slack, although the wheel's still as true as it ever was.

I tightened them up a little so that they no longer rattled and they now have a little bit of a tone when plucked rather than a dull 'thunk'. However, this has put the wheel more obviously out of true (though still not that badly out).

How easy is it to true Aksiums myself ? How is it done ? Any instructions online (I can't find any) ? I'd probably feel better about taking the wheel to a shop to be trued, but if it's not THAT difficult......

 

[fossyant]

You'll need an adjustable spanner to hold the spokes from twisting and a spoke key.

Other than being slightly trickier with keeping the bladed spokes in place, simple, so long as you are OK with truing.

Don't forget, quarter turn - when tightening up one side, loosen the adjacent spoke on the other side - this stops the wheel going egg shaped. Key is little turns, check, bit more, check... Also worth banging the rim with your fist from the side as this will release any tension, and stops the spokes pinging when you first ride.

 

[goo_mason]

You'll need an adjustable spanner to hold the spokes from twisting and a spoke key.

Other than being slightly trickier with keeping the bladed spokes in place, simple, so long as you are OK with truing.

Don't forget, quarter turn - when tightening up one side, loosen the adjacent spoke on the other side - this stops the wheel going egg shaped. Key is little turns, check, bit more, check... Also worth banging the rim with your fist from the side as this will release any tension, and stops the spokes pinging when you first ride.

Cheers fossyant - I'll need to brush up on which way to turn the spokes on which side to tighten / lossen them. I've got a lovely little keyring from Wiggle that came instead of sweets last year which will hold bladed spokes still (as well as opening beer bottles), so I'm sorted for that.

 

[HLaB]

I've just trued my Askiums how I would other wheels but that spanner tip of fossyant's sounds a good one. Another tip I picked up which seems a good one is applying a little drop of oil to the nipple first. If I mind right when you are looking from the inside of the rim its anti clockwise to tighten, clockwise too loosen. Bicyle tutor does a good guide.

 

[fossyant]

Easy way to remember... if truing on bike, always true at the top of the wheel (e.g. near brakes) then it's clockwise to tighten.

 

[goo_mason]

Easy way to remember... if truing on bike, always true at the top of the wheel (e.g. near brakes) then it's clockwise to tighten.

Is that with the bike upright or upside down though ?

 

[Dayvo]

Start at the valve hole, and (if rear wheel) have the cassette side on your right (although that's just a matter of choice, as long as you keep to it).