Originally Posted by
Pali
I'm building a rear wheel. Relatively new at this, this is my 3rd or 4th wheel. I have the right side at about 90 Kgf. In order to get it true, I have the left side at about 40 or 50Kgf, any higher, and I'll be out of true. This is way far from what I thought would work. I realize that rear wheels are not symmetric left to right, but this seems way different. Will this wheel work or will it fail when I ride on it? Is there something I can do to change this? Will it go out of true quickly because the sides have such different tensions?
This is perfectly normal. It is the different left/right tension that makes dishing possible!
There is no purpose served by measuring the tension of the left side spokes. If you use a tensiometer on a rear wheel, it's only the right side that you are concerned with. The left spokes just go at whatever tension gets the rim properly centered.
+1 on the comments about straight gauge spokes and higher tension. I usually shoot for something in the 100-120 kgf range.
-1 on the 2x or 1x left side recommendation.
Sheldon "http://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuilding" Brown
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