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Old 05-22-12, 05:16 AM
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himespau 
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Optimal spoke tension?

I'm building my first wheelset and have my wheels laced and the front wheel fairly true (still need to stress relieve and might need to do a better job of making sure the elbows are flush against the hub, so I have a ways to go though). One thing I don't seem to have a handle on is how much tension to put on the spokes.

I tried a basic google search but didn't come up with an obvious number/table for the spokes I'm using.

I'm using Sapim Race spokes (14-15-14 double butted). Also Mavic XM317 26" rims and some Shimano 105 hubs from the late 90's (old but unused) if that matters. Anybody have access to a nice table or solid number I should be shooting for? Sorry if it's somewhere obvious that I'm just missing.

Also, I'm using Park's tensionmeter (TM-1?). It comes with a conversion table for converting meter readings into tension based on spoke thickness. Since my spokes are double butted, I wasn't sure which conversion to use. I was assuming that, since I'm measuring tension in the 15g region of the spoke, that I should use the 15g conversion factor rather than the 14g column, right?

Once again, thanks for all your help.
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Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?), 1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"





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