What a difference adjusting the spokes make...

[008]

Recently had the spokes on my pair of Mavic Open Sports adjusted, or rather tightened, as according to the lbs they were so loose he was surprised that the wheel hadn't collapsed !! The thing is, the wheels have always been true, so I never really gave the looseness a second thought.

tbh, I've been a little disappointed with the wheels from day one (18 months and 6k miles) and couldn't understand why so many people say what a big difference a decent set of wheels make.

Anyway, after getting them back from the lbs, the spokes were super tight... massive difference just by feeling them. And to ride... amazing!! Now I know what people mean when they say what a big difference a decent pair of wheels make!!

I know the Open Sports are pretty much entry level wheels but they've totally changed the way the bike rides... a Specialized Sirrus Elite btw. Now I'm curious as to what a proper decent set of wheels feel like...

 

[cyberknight]

Assuming they are tightened correctly the spokes give the wheels structural integrity, both for giving the wheel shock absorption propertied and i would imagine rolling resistance.

If the spokes were loose it would create compression forces at the bottom and extension pull at the top which would make the wheel harder to spin around creating "drag" and wearing out the wheel quicker as the spokes flexed the wheel rim as they went around.
think riding with a tyre that is not pumped up enough at the bottom the tyre is compressed and at the top it bulges then apply that to the wheel with loose spokes.

Thats my theory anyway

 

[accountantpete]

Now I'm curious as to what a proper decent set of wheels feel like...

There's only one way to find out!

 

[008]

There's only one way to find out!

Yes, I'm already compiling a shopping list for repalcement wheels when the current pair wear out... don't tell the missus though... she thought £120 for the Mavic Open Sports was an absurd amount of money to spend on "just a pair of wheels"! Think my next set of wheels will cost £20 each... well, that's what I'll be telling the other half . Might give the Mavic Open Pro's a go with 105 hubs...

 

[Smokin Joe]

Assuming they are tightened correctly the spokes give the wheels structural integrity, both for giving the wheel shock absorption propertied and i would imagine rolling resistance.

If the spokes were loose it would create compression forces at the bottom and extension pull at the top which would make the wheel harder to spin around creating "drag" and wearing out the wheel quicker as the spokes flexed the wheel rim as they went around.
think riding with a tyre that is not pumped up enough at the bottom the tyre is compressed and at the top it bulges then apply that to the wheel with loose spokes.

Thats my theory anyway

There are no compression forces on a spoke, they work only in tension. There is nothing for the spoke to compress against as it would push through the hole in the rim.

Loose spokes would give a spongy ride because of the amount of flex they would allow in the rim.

 

[cyberknight]

There are no compression forces on a spoke, they work only in tension. There is nothing for the spoke to compress against as it would push through the hole in the rim.

Loose spokes would give a spongy ride because of the amount of flex they would allow in the rim.

Thats what i meant , it was very early when i wrote it

It would not be good for the wheel any which way .