Can you over tighten spokes - Page 2

Killian · 2013-08-22, 11:53 PM

The only time I've had spokes that needed more than 1-2 full turns to tighten, the spokes were visibally loose, I.E. you could wiggle the spoke very freely and nearly see the nipple moving within the rim eyelets.

UnicycleSam123 · 2013-08-23, 11:13 AM

thank you for the reply's i have loosened them ever so slightly so there is a tiny bit of movement when squeezed together hard.

is this still to tight?

UnicycleSam123 · 2013-08-23, 12:22 PM

HELP!!!

I was loosening the spokes up on my 24" oracle when it went wonky so much so it wont even spin round any more it just jams in the frame

what should i do

i thought i had the spokes even on both sides but it is still wonky

HELP what can i do i am sceduald to ride it for a video this weekend and at the moment it is useless

unibokk · 2013-08-23, 01:09 PM

Don't worry. This is a chance to learn something. I suggest that you loosen off all the spokes until they are all slack. Then starting at valve spoke, tighten each spoke until all of the spokes are moderately slack, i.e. springy. Then take a break for 30 minutes and forget about the wheel. When you come back start tightening the spokes more slowly 1/4 turn each until they become less springy. Now spin the wheel and check that the rim is true. If so continue tightening spokes 1/4 turn each until taut i.e. 1/8 inch movement with firm squeeze. Make yourself comfortable when doing all of this. Turn your unicycle upside down and sit a on a chair. If you're comfortable then you will do better job.

Hope this helps.

unibokk · 2013-08-23, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unibokk

continue tightening spokes 1/4 turn each until taut i.e. 1/8 inch movement with firm squeeze. .

P.S. This is the maximum tension that I use on my 24" and 26" wheels. On my 36er I allow more slack due to the very long spokes.

Killian · 2013-08-23, 01:28 PM

If unibokk's advice doesn't work for you (though it is really good advice), you can always take it to a bike shop and have them do it as a last resort.

UnicycleSam123 · 2013-08-23, 03:31 PM

thank you for the advice

i thought it would be easier it take the wheel off the frame and in doing so the disc break caliper has closed up as if the break is on

how can i get the two pads inside to open up again so i can put the wheel back on?

unibokk · 2013-08-23, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnicycleSam123

thank you for the advice

i thought it would be easier it take the wheel off the frame and in doing so the disc break caliper has closed up as if the break is on

how can i get the two pads inside to open up again so i can put the wheel back on?

Don't turn any screws on the caliper. Instead just prise the pads apart with a flat tipped screwdriver a chisel.

UnicycleSam123 · 2013-08-23, 04:09 PM

thanks, i managed to get the wheel back on only to find out that it is still wonky

i am going to take it to a bike shop, will they be able to do it or will they just laugh and if they can roughly how much would it cost and how long would it take them?

Shmolagin · 2013-08-23, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnicycleSam123

thanks, i managed to get the wheel back on only to find out that it is still wonky

i am going to take it to a bike shop, will they be able to do it or will they just laugh and if they can roughly how much would it cost and how long would it take them?

My LBS told me they charge $30 (~20 pounds) for a wheelbuild, so it shouldn't be too bad.

unibokk · 2013-08-23, 04:25 PM

They can fix it, once nothing's badly damaged. If they start working on it straight away, then it should only take about thirty minutes or so. Ask them how much will it cost before handing in your unicycle. I think they will enjoy the novelty of working on a unicycle. Maybe you can watch as they fix your wheel and pick up a few tips.

Hope this helps.

Killian · 2013-08-24, 12:06 AM

If they laugh at you then they are terrible businessmen, and you need to find a different LBS. Mine thought the uni wheelset was cool, and it only cost around 30-40 bucks...

knoxuni · 2013-08-26, 01:21 PM

I had a kid bring in a nimbus wheel that needed love and found me a new riding buddy

Shmolagin · 2013-08-26, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knoxuni

I had a kid bring in a nimbus wheel that needed love and found me a new riding buddy

That's cool, were you working at a bike shop?

knoxuni · 2013-08-27, 01:59 AM

I am, i hate working 2 jobs but its worth it most of the time

2013-08-22, 11:53 PM	#16
Killian Good enough: enemy of perfection Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Utah Age: 24 Posts: 2,550	The only time I've had spokes that needed more than 1-2 full turns to tighten, the spokes were visibally loose, I.E. you could wiggle the spoke very freely and nearly see the nipple moving within the rim eyelets. __________________ "I used to watch Highway Patrol whittlin' with my knife..." - NY

2013-08-23, 12:22 PM	#18
UnicycleSam123 MUni Join Date: May 2013 Location: UK Age: 23 Posts: 106	Help!!! HELP!!! I was loosening the spokes up on my 24" oracle when it went wonky so much so it wont even spin round any more it just jams in the frame what should i do i thought i had the spokes even on both sides but it is still wonky HELP what can i do i am sceduald to ride it for a video this weekend and at the moment it is useless

2013-08-23, 01:28 PM	#21
Killian Good enough: enemy of perfection Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Utah Age: 24 Posts: 2,550	If unibokk's advice doesn't work for you (though it is really good advice), you can always take it to a bike shop and have them do it as a last resort. __________________ "I used to watch Highway Patrol whittlin' with my knife..." - NY

2013-08-24, 12:06 AM	#27
Killian Good enough: enemy of perfection Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Utah Age: 24 Posts: 2,550	If they laugh at you then they are terrible businessmen, and you need to find a different LBS. Mine thought the uni wheelset was cool, and it only cost around 30-40 bucks... __________________ "I used to watch Highway Patrol whittlin' with my knife..." - NY

2013-08-26, 01:21 PM	#28
knoxuni wes style!! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: central ohio Age: 24 Posts: 5,978	I had a kid bring in a nimbus wheel that needed love and found me a new riding buddy __________________ Roses are red, violets are blue, may I procreate with you so I can ride a g32!! - Alan hogan

2013-08-23, 11:13 AM	#17
UnicycleSam123 MUni Join Date: May 2013 Location: UK Age: 23 Posts: 106	thank you for the reply's i have loosened them ever so slightly so there is a tiny bit of movement when squeezed together hard. is this still to tight?

2013-08-23, 01:09 PM	#19
unibokk Unicyclist Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 961	Don't worry. This is a chance to learn something. I suggest that you loosen off all the spokes until they are all slack. Then starting at valve spoke, tighten each spoke until all of the spokes are moderately slack, i.e. springy. Then take a break for 30 minutes and forget about the wheel. When you come back start tightening the spokes more slowly 1/4 turn each until they become less springy. Now spin the wheel and check that the rim is true. If so continue tightening spokes 1/4 turn each until taut i.e. 1/8 inch movement with firm squeeze. Make yourself comfortable when doing all of this. Turn your unicycle upside down and sit a on a chair. If you're comfortable then you will do better job. Hope this helps.

2013-08-23, 03:31 PM	#22
UnicycleSam123 MUni Join Date: May 2013 Location: UK Age: 23 Posts: 106	thank you for the advice i thought it would be easier it take the wheel off the frame and in doing so the disc break caliper has closed up as if the break is on how can i get the two pads inside to open up again so i can put the wheel back on?

2013-08-23, 04:09 PM	#24
UnicycleSam123 MUni Join Date: May 2013 Location: UK Age: 23 Posts: 106	thanks, i managed to get the wheel back on only to find out that it is still wonky i am going to take it to a bike shop, will they be able to do it or will they just laugh and if they can roughly how much would it cost and how long would it take them?

2013-08-23, 04:25 PM	#26
unibokk Unicyclist Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 961	They can fix it, once nothing's badly damaged. If they start working on it straight away, then it should only take about thirty minutes or so. Ask them how much will it cost before handing in your unicycle. I think they will enjoy the novelty of working on a unicycle. Maybe you can watch as they fix your wheel and pick up a few tips. Hope this helps.

2013-08-27, 01:59 AM	#30
knoxuni wes style!! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: central ohio Age: 24 Posts: 5,978	I am, i hate working 2 jobs but its worth it most of the time __________________ Roses are red, violets are blue, may I procreate with you so I can ride a g32!! - Alan hogan

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