Bicycle Mechanics - New wheelset - retension/true after 100 miles?

I purchased a pre-built wheelset. They spin true now, but I've read that you should true up these wheels after 100 miles of riding or so to allow the spokes to settle in(given they don't go out of true during this time)?

I will be buying a Minoura True-Pro stand soon.

Read many a thread on Truing on this site but only saw one person comment about truing up new pre-built wheels after 100 miles.

Appreciate any input.

somegeek

It's always a good idea. So toss 'em in the jig and check 'em out. Remember: If they are off one way - tighten 1/4 turn on the opposite side one spoke in the center(ish) of the offset. And loosen the opposite side 1/4 turn. Alway go for just 2 spokes. Some people say to pick a series of 4 spokes - but I swear these folks like riding on potato-chips. They shouldn't have gone out of round (unless you hit something or fell in a hole) - but do check this as well.

You'll have a new truing-jig. So play with it! LOL.

Nice - thanks for this!

I also read to turn ~1/8 turn past your intented turn and then back ~1/8 to relieve spoke twist? This a good habit?

I suppose that you can turn past your intended position and then back off some. I simply tension the spokes and then use my fingers and the handle of a wooden spoon to really work the spokes. Just make sure that you give them a good workout so that they will unload any torque that is present.

Mike

Based on my experiences I think you should tension and true pre-built wheels as soon as you get them, then check them after 100 miles. My wife's Bontrager wheels were all out of whack when brand new out of the box.

Al

I agree 100% with Al1943. Pre built wheels are seldom tensioned high enough to prevent them from needing to be re-trued. Low tension it probably the main factor causing a wheel to go out of true. Tension should be adjusted to be as high as the manufacturer recommends for that specific rim. In case you cannot find mfg's info aim for about 90-100 kgf. It's the best thing you can do to ensure durability, and strength in most any bicycle wheel. While you are about getting a truing stand get a tensiometer so you can measure the actual tension of the spokes. I personally think the tensiometer is more important than the truing stand.

I will look to get the stand and tensiometer. Thanks for the info all. :)

Based on my experiences I think you should tension and true pre-built wheels as soon as you get them, then check them after 100 miles. My wife's Bontrager wheels were all out of whack when brand new out of the box.

Al

+1

Not just tension but stress relieve, tension, normalize and true.

Do this properly before the wheelset hits the road with the tire inflated and you are guaranteed to either not to have to true it ever, or minor true after a long time.

I agree 100% with Al1943. Pre built wheels are seldom tensioned high enough to prevent them from needing to be re-trued. Low tension it probably the main factor causing a wheel to go out of true. Tension should be adjusted to be as high as the manufacturer recommends for that specific rim. In case you cannot find mfg's info aim for about 90-100 kgf. It's the best thing you can do to ensure durability, and strength in most any bicycle wheel. While you are about getting a truing stand get a tensiometer so you can measure the actual tension of the spokes. I personally think the tensiometer is more important than the truing stand.

I don't think you can generalize either way on stock wheelsets about the tension. Most non high-end wheelsets that weren't handbuilt (i'm thinking of the shimano wheelsets that are handbuilt) are all over the place. Dish off, tension low or tension too high.

I've seen all 3.

Nice - thanks for this!

I also read to turn ~1/8 turn past your intented turn and then back ~1/8 to relieve spoke twist? This a good habit?

Thats what I do....its not neccessary but it keep the spokes from pinging the first itme out any may help to minimize touch ups after the first ride.


Based on my experiences I think you should tension and true pre-built wheels as soon as you get them, then check them after 100 miles. My wife's Bontrager wheels were all out of whack when brand new out of the box.

Al

I always completely detension my pre-built wheels and start from scratch. I recently re-did a pair that had some spokes extending 2 mm past the nipple while other were no where near as close. Whats amazing is that it was true.

Forget the 100 mile thing. Re-true and tension as needed regardless of it being 10 miles or 200.