Originally Posted by 63rickert

I have in my collection a wheel built fully 60 years ago with very even tension, plus or minus 5% all the way around. Quite certain that wheel was never examined with a tension meter before I did it. Have known wheelbuilders who checked their wheels once with a meter and decided they never needed to use it again. Because they were building even tension without the tool. But they sure do like it if the employees use the meter. Have known a few who used their ears for even tension. Some used that tool effectively but most are just shocked when their wheels are checked with a meter. And then they buy the meter.

Some people are never going to figure out how to use a meter. Getting angry with it won't work. Meters have been around for forty years now and are still not in general use. It's a level of complexity that just baffles some.

Anyone who works on old bikes, or even anyone who works on bikes with normal wheels based on tensioned spokes, knows that the overwhelming majority of wheels out on the road are just horrible. Nothing improves the ride of a bike more than good wheels.

Simple test to determine if your wheels are good. First they feel good. Real good. Second, do they hold true? Do they hold true for thousands of miles? Do they soldier on through potholes and abuse? Good wheels are built once and remain good. If touchups are ever needed they are minor and simple and there was usually an obvious reason. Wheels that need constant attention to remain half in true are almost certainly loose. Wheels that are too tight can go a long time giving good service but will make the rim give up early. There are not a lot of wheels too tight, but they fly completely under the radar. If a rim that should give 20,000 miles of service gives excellent service for 5000 most will just be happy. Has to be real tight and give real short service for anyone to notice. And then usually the rim gets blamed, not the builder.