Handbuilt Wheels Making Noises?
 

I've got a nice set of handbuilt wheels. They are Nuke Proof carbon hubs laced to Mavic 517's. I've had them for almost 3 years now. They are PERFECTLY true, but it seems the spokes may be a little loose ALL the way around? When I ride on pavement, I hear a "whirring" sound and feel a vibration. It is quite annoying, but only on the road at a certain speed! Off road, you'd never know...

I've had a lot of experience trueing wheels, but have never built one from scratch. So, should I take the wheels to a respectable shop for a tune up, or just have at it with my spoke wrench? The Rear wheel is the problem wheel, and I worry about messing up its offset center, not to mention eliptical variations...

Hawk

:(

Hawk;

Where is the vibration being felt (handlebar, pedals, seat)?

How did you determine that there is a spoke tension issue with the rear wheel? I’m thinking you should be able to notice only higher tension on the right side (drive) spokes.

When did the problem first begin? Was anything changed on the bike’s setup during the period leading up this issue?

Do you have another rear wheel that you could swap in to verify that the noise is wheel related.

I’ve personally only notice strange noise coming from newly trued wheels (releasing spoke windup) and that indeed is very disconcerting although it does eventual go away…

Trust that others on the forum can help... Cheers and God bless...

3 years?!

those are some nice wheels if you've NEVER had to tighten the spokes in 3 years.

I would suggest you take them to the shop and let the mechanic hit em up w/ the wrench.

or buy the tools and do it yourself, if the problem is indeed the spokes.

I already know its the rear wheel... the tension is loose all the way around. I have kept the rims true on my own, but am afraid to start tightening all the spokes on the rear wheel at once, don't want to **** it up!

Should I just start with the first spoke and give it a full turn on move to the next? or what? The spokes are TOO damn loose, but the tension is perfectly even all the way around...

if they are still true even w/ the spokes loose I would just tighten em up yourself.

it sounds like you've used a spoke wrench before so go for it.

I can't tell you how much to turn the nipple w/ out looking at them.
to be on the safe side I'd go w/ half a turn or less on each spoke and increase it as needed.

It took 5 minutes and now the're tight and true! Was just afraid to mess up a good thing, but now that good thing is better!