Originally Posted by
RubeRad
Why couldn't I find it? Do the discussions use different terms than "spoke tension pitch"?
While I (0 wheels built) certainly don't presume I can argue with 3000+ wheels built, since we're discussing here, I would argue that pitch could provide a speed advantage over meter.
Given the extra variables you mention that I did not originally consider (crossings, lengths, gauges, also add rim and hub size/construction/material), I grant it may not be feasible to build a reliable conversion chart for all (or even many) possible combinations.
But, for one particular wheel, equal tension should mean equal pitch, so I can envision that (someday, when I retire and have more time to play with bikes), I could be a wheelbuilder that would alternate between occasionally metering one spoke, adding equal tension to all spokes to bring them to a higher pitch (where equal tension is judged by same pitch for a wheel revolution), meter a spoke to guesstimate how much addition pitch I should add, rinse, repeat.
Probably do a final, complete run of tensions on every spoke only at the very end.
What's a tension reading take, maybe 2-3sec ea? So that's a minute or two for a whole wheel, vs maybe 5 sec for a wheel revolution?
1. Do you understand the up front work required to chart the frequencies for each wheel you need to build?
2. Do you understand the difference between theory and properties and then actual application especially where economics are a concern?
1-2 seconds on average - only a few spokes at a time during most of the build. More spokes read in the last few tension cycles to finish the wheel.
Despite its imperfections, the tension meter has one "beauty" to it: It makes no assumptions about crossing, gauges, etc. It simply measures a given deflection per given distance. When interpreted, the chart only makes an assumption about the material, profile and gauge - nothing more.
As I stated earlier, this has been discussed many times over - even to the point of people going at each other's throats. Usually because someone starts to push advocacy rather than discussion. Most of us here understand how both work - and don't really have any beef against the sound method in general.
Someone did post earlier a link to an Easton video - where both methods are used concurrently. It's a nice video to watch...hopefully someone can post it again.
=8-)