Bicycle Mechanics - New Wheels

So I just bought these new wheels (Somax track wheel set) and installed them on my bike.

When I went to test out the ride, the first dozen pedal strokes or so, I heard a 'popping' sound.

Sounded a lot like the spokes, the wheel was already built when I bought it, had hubs and all, so I figured all I had to do was install them on my bike.

I read something about loose spokes, but how loose would they have to be? like something you can feel with your fingers?

Is it normal for new wheels to do that the first ride?

Is it something entirely different?

Are you supposed to do something special to new wheels?

Thanks!

So I just bought these new wheels (Somax track wheel set) and installed them on my bike.

When I went to test out the ride, the first dozen pedal strokes or so, I heard a 'popping' sound.

Sounded a lot like the spokes, the wheel was already built when I bought it, had hubs and all, so I figured all I had to do was install them on my bike.

I read something about loose spokes, but how loose would they have to be? like something you can feel with your fingers?

Is it normal for new wheels to do that the first ride?

Is it something entirely different?

Are you supposed to do something special to new wheels?

Thanks!
Sounds like whoever built the wheels did not relieve the spoke windup. You did that the first time you put your weight on them, and that was the sound you heard. Better check them for true.

some windup coming out. check for true and loose spokes. Spokes like DT Revs 14/17's can wind-up a bit and must really be relieved.

That sounds like it, just looked at the front one, and you're right, it's slightly out of true. Just barely, but for new wheels, you'd expect them to be true.

Blargh!

Thanks.

you'd expect them to be stress-relieved prior to shipping ....

That sounds like it, just looked at the front one, and you're right, it's slightly out of true. Just barely, but for new wheels, you'd expect them to be true.

Blargh!

Thanks.

If properly stress relieved and tensioned, they would be true. Were these wheels a bargain?

Yea, these were closeouts off the soma site,

I ordered them through my LBS.

Just got back, he re-trued them and released the tension. Seems good to go now.