Bicycle Mechanics - Spoke Retentioning

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA

View Full Version : Spoke Retentioning

ScottyBlues
07-31-02, 02:15 PM
I'm a beefy rider @285 lbs. I just bought a new road bike and some have suggested that I have the "spokes retentioned". Can you tell me what this is and why this is important? Is this a generic procedure or one in which they factor the weight of the rider?

WorldIRC
07-31-02, 02:45 PM
yah by having the wheels rebuilt so the tension is higher, this would make the wheel stronger as the spokes will be tighter. this will allow the rim to take more stress.
John E
07-31-02, 07:35 PM
Spokes, particularly stainless steel spokes, tend to stretch somewhat over time, especially when new. The nipples then have to be turned clockwise a bit to retension the wheel, i.e., to restore its original design tension. Yes, if the spokes are too loose, the wheel will be weak/unstable.

D*Alex
07-31-02, 07:47 PM
Do you want them retained , or retensioned ?
MikeR
08-02-02, 11:54 AM
I'm a beefy rider @285 lbs

Hello fellow beefy! When I started riding last year I weighed about 30 lbs more than you do. Now I'm about 20 lbs less than you are.

The first bike I road was an inexpensive Diamondback from a chain store. I had a lot of trouble with breaking spokes, and I eventually replaced the rear wheel with a used one I got at the LBS. That wheel is and bike holding up fine. (it’s my beater bike)

I also own a much better road bike (Bianchi SanRemo). I had one wheel failure after 1000 miles on the Bianchi. My dealer says it had nothing to do with my weight and he replaced the wheel.

I am very watchful with my spokes and wheels. Whenever I have the bike at the LBS for something else, I tell them to check the spoke tension and true the wheels. I also check them and tweak the trueness often.

I have not had an problems recently. IMHO a lot of spoke and wheel problems can be avoided (even if you’re heavy) by having a knowledgeable mechanic keep after your spokes.