Spoke Tension Drive Side and Non Drive Side
5 min read
Asked by: Christina Jackson
Should spoke tension be the same on both sides?
Spoke Tension – Front and Rear Wheels
On front wheels the tension should be equal on both sides. On rear wheels the tension will be higher on the right side, or drive side of the wheel. Therefore proper spoke tension should be measured on both sides, but set to the right side spokes of rear wheels.
Are drive side or non drive side spokes longer?
Yes, the rear drive side will be the shorter spokes. If you are using the same rim AND hub, you should be in good shape. If you changed rims, your spoke lengths may be off for your current build.
Which way do tension spokes go?
The key to truing is adjusting the spoke(s) on the correct side of the wheel. Note that the spokes have nut-like devices at the rim called nipples. When viewed from above, nipples are turned clockwise with the
spoke wrench
Nipple Wrench can refer to: A Spoke wrench, a tool for tightening wheel spokes. A Nipple wrench, a plumbing tool. A Nipple wrench, a black-powder firearm tool.
to tighten spoke tension and counterclockwise to loosen it.
What tension should spokes be at?
Most rims have suggested ranges from 100 to 120 Kilograms-force, or 980 to 1177 Newtons. This is assuming there is no pressure in the tire. Though not super precise, squeezing is still a more accurate technique for judging spoke tension than feeling the amount of effort it takes to turn a spoke nipple.
How do I know if my spokes are tight enough?
Once the rim is free from blips and serious flat spots, check the tension of the spokes. Put your thumb around one spoke and your fingers around the spoke next to it and squeeze. The spokes should feel tight and firm. They should have just a little give when you squeeze them fairly hard.
What happens if you over tighten spokes?
Registered. As you tighten, if you don’t loosen others along with it, the tension will be all thrown off, and the wheel thrown out of “true”.
How do I choose spoke length?
Quote from video: The first consideration for the rim is simply the number of spoke holes count them and make sure it is what you wanted and it matches your hub.
Are all spoke nipples the same size?
The most common spoke nipple sizes are 3.23mm, 3.30mm, and 3.45mm. However, you might encounter other spoke nipple sizes ranging anywhere from 3.2mm to 9mm. Many spoke nipples are also square-shaped, including the most common sizes listed above. Some manufacturers use star-shaped or hex-shaped spoke nipples instead.
How do I know what spokes I need?
To find the length of spoke you require you can check your wheel manufacturer’s manual, or alternatively use an online spoke calculator. This will let you enter details of your hub and rim to calculate the length spoke you need.
How do you use a spoke tension chart?
Quote from video: The best way to measure spoke tension is with a spoke tension meter like the park tool tm1 spoke tension meters flex a spoke between two posts with a calibrated spring.
How do you fix a spoke that won’t tighten?
Quote from video: Both sides checking around the two. You find the culprit. And make sure there's no extra ones. There we go cut loose that is this that's finger tight that one so now this isn't a broken spoke.
Why do my spokes keep coming loose?
Spokes loosen mainly because they stretch, and much of the “stretch” is due to the elbow straightening out. During the dawn of downhill racing in Scotland we would build the wheels up, use red loctite, take them out and put some stress (jumps) on them and come back to the shop for a final true.
How often should I check spoke tension?
Since spoke repair happens in the shop, your only spoke responsibility is just to check the tension. We recommend you check that about once a month. It never hurts to check more often than that, though — especially if you’re a daily rider.
How often should I tighten my spokes?
about once a year
Check the spoke tension and wheel truing.
Both determine the wheel’s strength and durability. You should have the wheels and spokes trued and tensioned about once a year (if your ride often).
How do you measure spoke tension by hand?
How to True a Wheel Part 5: Spoke Tension
How do you use a unior spoke tension meter?
To use, simply press the handle, position the spoke between the two pins and release the handle. The properly designed gauge is easy to read. Measured value, needs to be checked in the spoke information table, from where you read the actual tension, based upon the spoke specification.
How do you measure spoke tension by hand?
Pull the spokes across each other with your fingers to see which is looser. Lift the looser spoke away to pluck the tighter one alone and check its pitch. Check for rim damage or a crooked rim joint near the unequally-tensioned spokes.
How do you use a park tool spoke tension meter?
Quote from video: Spoke we want to measure. In the middle of the spoke. Not at the very ends. There can be butted spokes that are thicker at the end and thinner in the middle.
How do you lace bike spokes?
Put the spoke into the rim four eyelets clockwise from the valve hole, lacing it over the spoke it crosses. Screw a nipple on and repeat this (apart from the spoke crossing) around the wheel. Each spoke should go in the fourth eyelet clockwise from the previous one.
Do more spokes make a wheel stronger?
A bike wheel with more spokes is stronger than a bike wheel with fewer spokes. What’s more, different spokes offer differing levels of strength and durability. Spokes are the individual pieces that hold together a bicycle wheel to create the structure needed to support the weight of your bicycle and rider.
Can you reuse wheel spokes?
Unless a spoke has a kink that cannot be straightened by hand, it can be reused.