what constitutes a loose spoke?
09-07-10, 01:44 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 146
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
what constitutes a loose spoke?
Hello,
Once in a while I hear somewhat of a "pop" coming from (what I think) is my back wheel. I've tried to check if the spokes are loose, but don't know what constitutes a "loose spoke". These are mavic askium's and have about 1,000 miles on them. When I try to see if they are loose, there is a bit of play but the spokes are pretty thin so I would expect that. I've heard that you can "pluck" them like a guitar. If the spokes seem to move around a bit, is that ok?
thanks;.
Once in a while I hear somewhat of a "pop" coming from (what I think) is my back wheel. I've tried to check if the spokes are loose, but don't know what constitutes a "loose spoke". These are mavic askium's and have about 1,000 miles on them. When I try to see if they are loose, there is a bit of play but the spokes are pretty thin so I would expect that. I've heard that you can "pluck" them like a guitar. If the spokes seem to move around a bit, is that ok?
thanks;.
09-07-10, 01:51 PM
#2
Senior Moment Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Daly City, CA
Posts: 1,362
Bikes: Specialized Allez Elite Double & 2008 Look 555
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When you pluck the spokes you can hear a difference in the way it sounds. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but loose spoke will not have a smooth ringing to it. It's hard to describe but if you pluck them and listen you can hear and tell which spokes may be in need of tightening.
It'll be like, strum, strum, strum, THUD, strum... as you pluck the spokes. You can really tell when it's really loose. (sorry, not actual technical terms!) lol!
On a side note, you may have issues in general if your spokes are popping after 1000 miles. Usually it'll happen in the first few miles as the wheel starts to settle. But after that long I'd get them checked. My old mtb wheel would pop after I trued the wheel, and then go out of true no matter how often I tried. Turns out the nipples were worn and tired as was the rim. So it might be a good idea to get them looked at anyway.
Good luck!
It'll be like, strum, strum, strum, THUD, strum... as you pluck the spokes. You can really tell when it's really loose. (sorry, not actual technical terms!) lol!
On a side note, you may have issues in general if your spokes are popping after 1000 miles. Usually it'll happen in the first few miles as the wheel starts to settle. But after that long I'd get them checked. My old mtb wheel would pop after I trued the wheel, and then go out of true no matter how often I tried. Turns out the nipples were worn and tired as was the rim. So it might be a good idea to get them looked at anyway.
Good luck!
