Crazy spoke tightening idea

[Banderboy]

This is a guitar tuner. If it were attached to a spoke that was known to be torqued to the right specifications, do you think would it give a read out that could be applied to the other spokes? Alas, I won't get my bike for approximately 3 more months, so there's no way to try this. Any players amongst us willing to try?

 

[EricV]

Not knowing exactly how the guitar tuner works, I have no idea. It's not always about the torque, many riders tighten spokes by tone. Flat is loose, a nice 'ping' is tight. Having the exact torque isn't always the best thing for spokes. Wheel truing is a process. (Much like guitar tuning is a process of tone, so not sure how that meter works)

 

[RonH]

It may work, but would be more work than just checking torque on the spokes. I tried the ping method, and my ears must not be smart, as I lost a couple nipples. After that went to just checking torque every 4000 miles same time I change the oil. It probably takes a little over 5 minutes to torque the spokes. Fronts are never loose, a couple rears is all that generally need a little tweek.
Some guys don't appreciate the wrench idea, thinking you might pull your wheel out of true. Never been a problem for me.

 

[steve68steve]

The pitch of guitar string is a function of its length and mass, and they are tuned to something like 100 hz (don't know actual numbers). It's not likely that wheel spokes are all the same length and mass such that a tuner would work, and it's further not likely that their pitch would translate to something in the tunable-by-guitar-tuner pitch range. I think a tiny amount of tension increase = a huge amount of tension increase. Try tuning your high E string up to an C and tell me you don't turn away and close your eyes before you get there.

I think the fuss over spokes is much ado about nothing. Over-tightening spokes breaks them, or pulls the rim out of true. Loose spoke back out of their nipples and flap around until destruction. Just make sure you don't have any loose ones. If you can turn the nipples with your fingers, or the spoke feels floppy, it's probably too loose. If you tune it up to an E, it'll probably break or screw up your rim.

 

[EricV]

@Steve68 - Do remember that with our spoke design, the nipple will be lost if it comes loose. And loose spokes was a major issue for Gen I bikes when the Super Ten first came out. I spent the first 6k miles checking and tightening loose spokes on my '12 before they finally settled in and stayed tight. Many people lost spoke nipples and had damaged spokes or found several spokes loose when checking after only a few hundred miles between checks.

I only have ~20k on my '15, but it never had as many loose spokes as the '12. Not nearly the concern.

 

[yoyo]

Cable ties where the spokes cross is the key to not losing them, not too tight, just enough to stop one flailing around if it comes loose.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[steve68steve]

@Steve68 - Do remember that with our spoke design, the nipple will be lost if it comes loose. And loose spokes was a major issue for Gen I bikes when the Super Ten first came out. I spent the first 6k miles checking and tightening loose spokes on my '12 before they finally settled in and stayed tight. Many people lost spoke nipples and had damaged spokes or found several spokes loose when checking after only a few hundred miles between checks.

I only have ~20k on my '15, but it never had as many loose spokes as the '12. Not nearly the concern.

Yeah, I'm not advocating ignoring them, just that I think the drama about torquing, tuning, re-checking, carrying spares, etc. might be overkill.

I zip-tied the spokes on the rear wheel of my '14. Checked 'em once or twice. Never any drama in 40k miles.

 

[Jeff Milleman]

I didn't know about the spoke problem in the beginning but learned after a couple in the rear came loose. That was after my 1st dealer check to go over the complete bike. I guess they didn't check them so I raised Hel* and they gave me a complete set , but I installed them and haven't been back. Hopefully this machine will run as good as it is now for a long time and I wont need to , lets not talk about the timing chain guides or valves .!!!

 

[steve68steve]

... lets not talk about the timing chain guides or valves .!!!

lol, BTDT.