Megadan scared me

Boatguy · 11-06-2022, 02:47 PM

Ever since I read that thread about tightening spokes, now I’m worrying about it.

When I play the harp on my spokes, some of them sound kind of lower. Quite a bit lower. They are not loose really, but they are low pitch.

How do I know when to tighten these? And how much to tighten them? I don’t want to put my rim out of true. It was beautifully balanced and trued at Woody’s wheel works in Colorado. That famous place.

I just happen to be nearby and was getting sick of it wobbling. I had also bent it a little bit by tipping over the bike in a carrier rack. The wheel stuck in the rack and held the bike up. So that wasn’t too nice.

But they were able to true it and get it all back perfect. Now that some of them sound a little flat, all I can think about is that wheel taco post that Megadan made.

Any advice on how much to tighten and how to tighten so that I don’t screw up the wheel?

I do not currently have a garage or a shop of any kind. I have a little wrench and a lot of hope. Lol

Bill Hilly · 11-06-2022, 03:58 PM

I didn't have any that felt loose, and they all made a musical tone. I did start at the first spoke before the valve, so I knew were I started, and just barely gave them a little turn .I now have a spoke wrench, but I used a real small Crescent wrench on my front rim, and it was a little bit of a nuisance, but not too bad . I didn't use much pressure, and went around and snugged them most made a little chatter noise, and already seemed pretty snug, but a few were quite, and more free. I then went around in a pattern of skipping 2 like I saw on YouTube, and just basically put about the same light pressure on them all , and if one didn't turn under the pressure, I didn't force it, but on the ones that would, I gave just a slight rotation. I repeated this step , starting at the next spoke from the valve each time till they felt good. I was a little afraid that I may have over tightened them, because I am a worrier. When my spoke wrench came, I used it on the back. It has a flat spot in the center of the handle, about 2" from the head, and that's about were I put pressure. I still worry that I may have over tightened them, but I have ridden the bike enough since that I think I'm OK. I hope someone experienced chimes in, and give you, and me a better idea idea of how to get a good feel on the tightening. You probably already know, but turning the nipple counterclockwise tighten them.

severely · 11-06-2022, 04:20 PM

What Bill Hilly said. I would add I start at the valve stem, tighten and count 7 spokes, and repeat the process. The reason for 7 spokes is that tightening spokes this far apart has a tendency to NOT disturb rim out of round or unbalanced. As you go around you'll see you're going from side to side of the rim, further minimizing chances of distortion. Don't go crazy on tension at first, just a couple flats as you proceed around the rim. Listen for the "music". Good luck.

Megadan · 11-07-2022, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boatguy

Ever since I read that thread about tightening spokes, now I’m worrying about it.

When I play the harp on my spokes, some of them sound kind of lower. Quite a bit lower. They are not loose really, but they are low pitch.

How do I know when to tighten these? And how much to tighten them? I don’t want to put my rim out of true. It was beautifully balanced and trued at Woody’s wheel works in Colorado. That famous place.

I just happen to be nearby and was getting sick of it wobbling. I had also bent it a little bit by tipping over the bike in a carrier rack. The wheel stuck in the rack and held the bike up. So that wasn’t too nice.

But they were able to true it and get it all back perfect. Now that some of them sound a little flat, all I can think about is that wheel taco post that Megadan made.

Any advice on how much to tighten and how to tighten so that I don’t screw up the wheel?

I do not currently have a garage or a shop of any kind. I have a little wrench and a lot of hope. Lol

Nothing scary about it nor do you need a shop or any kind of dedicated space. Just a stand to get a wheel off the ground and a spoke wrench.

As for basic spoke maintenance just search youtube and you will find endless videos on how to do it. Many of them will show spoke torque wrenches but you don't need one.

Sport Rider · 11-07-2022, 02:15 PM

Megadan scares me too. Mostly his picture.

**JerryHawk250** · 11-07-2022, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sport Rider

Megadan scares me too. Mostly his picture.

Megadan · 11-07-2022, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sport Rider

Megadan scares me too. Mostly his picture.

What can I say, I'm just built scary lol

Boatguy · 11-07-2022, 06:28 PM

Ha ha ha ha ha. You guys are hilarious

Boatguy · 11-07-2022, 06:32 PM

Here is some more spoke fear I saw. More like a donut than a taco but still looks no bueno

https://motorbikewriter.com/crash-pr...d-wheel-probe/

buzz · 11-09-2022, 01:13 AM

scared me not ,never had a spoke problem.some people just worry !

JohnC · 11-09-2022, 10:11 AM

Maybe a little pricey, but there is a way to take the guess work out of spoke tuning.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077H3S551

Sport Rider · 11-09-2022, 11:05 AM

yeah...that's expensive, huh! I always just did the tuning fork method.

11-06-2022, 02:47 PM	#1
Boatguy Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Northeast Posts: 929	Megadan scared me Ever since I read that thread about tightening spokes, now I’m worrying about it. When I play the harp on my spokes, some of them sound kind of lower. Quite a bit lower. They are not loose really, but they are low pitch. How do I know when to tighten these? And how much to tighten them? I don’t want to put my rim out of true. It was beautifully balanced and trued at Woody’s wheel works in Colorado. That famous place. I just happen to be nearby and was getting sick of it wobbling. I had also bent it a little bit by tipping over the bike in a carrier rack. The wheel stuck in the rack and held the bike up. So that wasn’t too nice. But they were able to true it and get it all back perfect. Now that some of them sound a little flat, all I can think about is that wheel taco post that Megadan made. Any advice on how much to tighten and how to tighten so that I don’t screw up the wheel? I do not currently have a garage or a shop of any kind. I have a little wrench and a lot of hope. Lol __________________ 2020 Lifan x-pect Last edited by Boatguy; 11-06-2022 at 04:21 PM.
	1

11-07-2022, 06:28 PM	#8
Boatguy Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Northeast Posts: 929	Ha ha ha ha ha. You guys are hilarious __________________ 2020 Lifan x-pect
	0

11-07-2022, 06:32 PM	#9
Boatguy Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Northeast Posts: 929	Here is some more spoke fear I saw. More like a donut than a taco but still looks no bueno https://motorbikewriter.com/crash-pr...d-wheel-probe/ __________________ 2020 Lifan x-pect
	0

11-06-2022, 03:58 PM	#2
Bill Hilly Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 932	I didn't have any that felt loose, and they all made a musical tone. I did start at the first spoke before the valve, so I knew were I started, and just barely gave them a little turn .I now have a spoke wrench, but I used a real small Crescent wrench on my front rim, and it was a little bit of a nuisance, but not too bad . I didn't use much pressure, and went around and snugged them most made a little chatter noise, and already seemed pretty snug, but a few were quite, and more free. I then went around in a pattern of skipping 2 like I saw on YouTube, and just basically put about the same light pressure on them all , and if one didn't turn under the pressure, I didn't force it, but on the ones that would, I gave just a slight rotation. I repeated this step , starting at the next spoke from the valve each time till they felt good. I was a little afraid that I may have over tightened them, because I am a worrier. When my spoke wrench came, I used it on the back. It has a flat spot in the center of the handle, about 2" from the head, and that's about were I put pressure. I still worry that I may have over tightened them, but I have ridden the bike enough since that I think I'm OK. I hope someone experienced chimes in, and give you, and me a better idea idea of how to get a good feel on the tightening. You probably already know, but turning the nipple counterclockwise tighten them.
	1

11-06-2022, 04:20 PM	#3
severely Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: odessa MO; donna TX Posts: 152	What Bill Hilly said. I would add I start at the valve stem, tighten and count 7 spokes, and repeat the process. The reason for 7 spokes is that tightening spokes this far apart has a tendency to NOT disturb rim out of round or unbalanced. As you go around you'll see you're going from side to side of the rim, further minimizing chances of distortion. Don't go crazy on tension at first, just a couple flats as you proceed around the rim. Listen for the "music". Good luck.
	1

11-07-2022, 02:15 PM	#5
Sport Rider Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Mooresville NC Posts: 2,038	Megadan scares me too. Mostly his picture.
	1

11-09-2022, 01:13 AM	#10
buzz Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Dayton Pa. Posts: 862	scared me not ,never had a spoke problem.some people just worry !
	0

11-09-2022, 10:11 AM	#11
JohnC Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 99	Maybe a little pricey, but there is a way to take the guess work out of spoke tuning. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077H3S551
	0

11-09-2022, 11:05 AM	#12
Sport Rider Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Mooresville NC Posts: 2,038	yeah...that's expensive, huh! I always just did the tuning fork method.
	1