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Old 08-10-11 | 04:53 AM
  #15  
SBinNYC
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Joined: Nov 2009
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The front wheel is essentially being held together by 8 spokes (2 more than the minimum required). The basic question is why the mismatch in spoke tension. It could be due to a bad build, bad rims, bad lacing (unlikely) or non-uniform spoke lengths. The mismatch could be due to your bringing the wheel back into true or it could have come that way from the original build. The mismatch of tensions on the NDS of your rear wheel, which you did not touch, suggests that spoke tensions were not equalized during the build. The question is still why.

You can get some hint by finding out why the loose spokes are loose. You can determine whether they are loose because of the rim or the build. If it was the build, then the loose spokes nipples will not have engaged all the spoke threads. You can try to sight visually from rim or can measure it with a feeler gauge. If spokes do not come all the way through the spoke (not a good idea), you can use a spare spoke, thread in from the top to determine how far down the spoke tops are. If the loose spokes have engaged fewer threads, then it's most probably a bad build. OTOH, if the reverse is true, then it's most likely a bad rim.

At this point, your best bet is to rebuild your front wheel from scratch. Loosen the spokes, start with all the spokes loosely tightened the same amount and start rebuilding. Take any hops out first, then the wobbles and gradually add tension.
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