Originally Posted by
qcpmsame
+1 for the anti-sieze on the spoke nipples. I didn't say that because a few replies about anti-seize I made were basically greeted with a "You are Nuts" response. I learned in the 70's working as a motorcycle mechanic that using anti-seize and proper torque will give you a better fastener life and no dielectric seizures when dissimilar metals are joined. The anti-seize gets the air out of the spaces in the threads and allows a better bond without the problems a thread locking compound gives you. With a few exceptions I use anti-seize on all threads and not a thread locking compound on what I am working on, motorcycles, cars, bicycles, etc. This and a good quality torque wrench to prevent stripping or stressing the fastener and tubes make the maintenance much easier. yes there are torque and tension meters for spokes, check out Park and the other bicycle tool mfgrs.
Bill
How do the tension meters work? Can't imagine gluing little strain gages to the spokes. I use anti-seize commonly but only in the context of changing barrels out on one of my competition rifles. Last thing I need is to gall the threads on a $1500 custom action.
The replies to this thread have sold me, I'll be on custom wheels sometime in the next several months. I'm now finishing only my 3rd year of riding and was ignorant of the need or advantages. The guy who owns my LBS was a racer and then team mechanic at a fairly high level and is well versed in wheel building. I'll talk to him. The "good" news is that I'm a 17-18 mph rider on a good day and not likely to get much faster given my age so I don't really need any hyper-light $2000 wheel sets. The main attribute that I want is durability.