Originally Posted by
Carbonfiberboy
So, two questions:
1) What do you advise re: tensioning.
2) The fact that these spokes were clicking at the crosses indicates to me that they must have worn spots there, probably from all the gritty riding. Should I replace them all or wait for them to start breaking? Or do you think there's no big worry of breaking. I've never broken an undamaged CX-Ray. Our team weight is ~275 lbs. Oddly enough, only the front was clicking, though both wheels have about the same spoke tension. It's possible that the front spokes have a couple more thousand miles on them, or it could be the other way 'round. My guess would be that our rear is slightly more heavily loaded than our front but not much.
Thanks so much for any suggestions.
Personally, I wouldn't do final tension with the tire installed and inflated.
Building wheels "tight" as in right up to either the manufacturer's limit, or to the point where any added tension causes rim deformation, is precisely because of the constricting effect of inflated tires. The spokes need to stay below that point to protect the rim when the tire is removed, but still tight enough that tire inflation doesn't take them below the point where they will de-tension under load.
Most tires have the same or similar cord angles that work within these parameters and let the spokes stay sufficiently tight when the tire is inflated to working pressure. This cord angle was essentially figured out in the 1890s as a compromise that also balances power transmission and suppleness. But it's not any kind of enforceable standard, merely a well-balanced solution. Perhaps Pirelli is experimenting with moving the angle in the direction that optimizes suppleness at the cost of increasing the constricting force.
If you want to continue using the Pirelli, I'd consider putting a bit more tension in the wheel, up to the max in front, and up to the max average L/R in the rear if the rim can handle it. The spokes can certainly handle it.