|   Tensioning problem? | Yellowstone Yeti
Jun 11, 2003 9:02 PM | | I just got a new bike off of the internet. Full suspension, lots of fun. The problem that I am having is trying to keep my wheels true. It seems like they're out of true, out of round after every ride. I checked the tension by feel when I put the bike together and noticed that there were about 3 loose spokes on each wheel. I probably should have taken it into my lbs before I even rode it, but I had to ride it first! Since then, I have taken the wheels into the lbs and had them trued twice (about eight 10 mile rides). They've come back pretty straight both times. I go out for a ride and they're out of true/round after only 1 ride. I'm a big person-6'3" and 240#. I'm running Alex TD 17s and 2.1 Kenda tires at 40# on a FS rig. I'm not riding it that aggressively (yet). Is this wheel setup too light for me or do I need to take my wheels to a different shop? Should there be a break in period on wheels? If so, how may rides/truings is the break in period? I only have 2 bike shops (no wheel builders) to choose from here, one sucks and the other is fair. My other option is to drive 100 miles to the nearest good shop. Any advice is appreciated. |
| Tensioning problem! | Mike T.
Jun 11, 2003 11:41 PM | | I think the answer is fairly straightforward for this one. The wheels need to be built correctly.
Yes the parts need to be of a quality and strength that will support the load but just as important is that the spokes need to be of sufficient tension and that tension needs to be equalized between all spokes and the wheels need to be bedded in and stress relieved.
The info for this is in my Wheelbuilding Tips and on Sheldon Brown's Wheelbuilding Page.
I would suggest that with the information provided on those sites that you can do the job yourself. There is much support here at this forum if you run into problems. |
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