spoke tightening questions

Unicycles and Equipment
1

Is there any way to tighten my spokes without having to “true” the wheel? Could I just go around to each spoke and make sure it’s just snug and not screw up the wheel’s “truth”?

Alternatively, can anyone suggest a good way to true the wheel using makeshift equipment? (I have a spoke wrench)

FYI - I’m talking about a Torker 24" LX machine here.

2

you can go around and just give them all a 1/4 turn but this is not trueing the wheel it is just tightening the spokes. Make sure you tighten everyone the same amount assuming the wheel is already true or you will do more harm then good.

3

Re: spoke tightening questions

“steveyo” <steveyo@NoEmail.Message.Poster.at.Unicyclist.com> writes:

> Could I just go around to each spoke and make sure it’s just
> snug and not screw up the wheel’s “truth”?

If your spokes aren’t even snug, the wheel need to be tensioned AND
trued.

> Alternatively, can anyone suggest a good way to true the wheel using
> makeshift equipment? (I have a spoke wrench)

Hold your thumb on the frame to gauge side-to-side deviation as you
true the wheel. Try not to change roundness much. You want to end up
with all spokes at about the same tension, which you can measure by
plucking them and listening for tone.

Ken

4
  1. turn uni upside down
  2. take 2 heavy zipties and attach one to each leg on frame next to the rims side/braking surface. Only cut off enough excess so that it is just off of said braking surface.
  3. use zipties as guides to true wheel. You can slide the zipties up or down to check for true or roundness as needed.
  4. Have a go at it . Adjust spokes only a small amount at a time unless you have already learned how to true a wheel. Remember spokes work in unison, you may have to tighten one spoke and loosen another. Truing is not just tightening spokes. If you can find someone to show you, all the better. This takes practice, practice ,practice. I think I learned the most when I built my first wheel set. New spokes,nips,rims,and hubs will act/react they way they should. When truing a used rim you sometimes(many times) are dealing with a bent/tweaked rim and that will change how it reacts while truing.
  5. If all else fails go to your LBS and have it done. Yes, a uni hub/axle fits into a standard truing stand( or at least a Park)well enough to be fixed/built.