Originally Posted by
Reynolds
Please define "out of true".
I build my wheels as true as I can, that usually means about .2mm lateral and .5mm radial (except sometimes at the joint) which may vary with different rims. No problem if I can't do better than .5L/.8R. Usually I build my wheels, ride them and don't care much about retruing except if they are noticeably out of true (didn't happen so far except after hitting some big pothole) or if I haven't something better to do on a rainy day. BTW, I use 36 and 32 spokes wheels, weigh about 70kg and try to avoid potholes.
Edit: OP just defined that as I posted.
I agree with your standards for building wheels. That is just about what I try for as well. Where we differ is the maintenance. I hold my wheels to their original standard throughout their lifetime. I may not true them every time I observe a deviation from true, but I know it has occurred. I suspect that this difference is what is responsible for the generic claims that wheels stay perfect forever. That can only be true if the meaning of perfect is significantly degraded.