twisted spokes - how much of a concern?
05-26-10, 08:43 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Toronto
Posts: 96
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
twisted spokes - how much of a concern?
I have Shimano bladed spokes on my bike. The last time I trued & equalized the tension in my rear wheel I didn't notice I twisted a few spokes slightly. The nipple also turned the spoke around its axis despite me having oiled the nipples prior to truing (with low-viscosity "dry" silicone oil). The twists aren't a lot (max 1/4 turn, most of them 1/8 turn).
I have a 100km+ ride (on good roads) this coming weekend and I'm wondering if there is any real mechanical risk here. Having 5 spokes without a perfectly aero-aligned blade is not a concern, really. It's whether the increased rotational tension in the spoke is of concern or it's negligible.
There's still time to take the wheel out, try to un-stuck the nipples from the spokes by loosening them completely and adding more oil but the entire exercise, including the subsequent truing, it's going to take a little time. I'm fine with doing it if needed, but if not, I can postpone till the after-ride maintenance.
And by the way, if anyone knows some tricks about how to keep a bladed spoke with its fixed orientation while turning the nipple, please let me know. I've tried holding the spoke with pliers (near the rim end, not on the blade) but it's very clumsy because of the spoke wrench's handle (I have the PT ones).
Thanks a lot,
jl
I have a 100km+ ride (on good roads) this coming weekend and I'm wondering if there is any real mechanical risk here. Having 5 spokes without a perfectly aero-aligned blade is not a concern, really. It's whether the increased rotational tension in the spoke is of concern or it's negligible.
There's still time to take the wheel out, try to un-stuck the nipples from the spokes by loosening them completely and adding more oil but the entire exercise, including the subsequent truing, it's going to take a little time. I'm fine with doing it if needed, but if not, I can postpone till the after-ride maintenance.
And by the way, if anyone knows some tricks about how to keep a bladed spoke with its fixed orientation while turning the nipple, please let me know. I've tried holding the spoke with pliers (near the rim end, not on the blade) but it's very clumsy because of the spoke wrench's handle (I have the PT ones).
Thanks a lot,
jl
05-26-10, 08:47 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
Posts: 12,258
Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
the spokes will unwind and quite often will loosen itself as the nipple sticks.
you can hold the spokes in place by using a bladed spoke holder or just an adjustable wrench.
you can hold the spokes in place by using a bladed spoke holder or just an adjustable wrench.
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
05-26-10, 10:22 PM
#3
Senior Member
I have Shimano bladed spokes on my bike. The last time I trued & equalized the tension in my rear wheel I didn't notice I twisted a few spokes slightly. The nipple also turned the spoke around its axis despite me having oiled the nipples prior to truing (with low-viscosity "dry" silicone oil). The twists aren't a lot (max 1/4 turn, most of them 1/8 turn).
I have a 100km+ ride (on good roads) this coming weekend and I'm wondering if there is any real mechanical risk here. Having 5 spokes without a perfectly aero-aligned blade is not a concern, really. It's whether the increased rotational tension in the spoke is of concern or it's negligible.
When truing, over-turn the nipple by 1/8th turn. Then unwind by 1/8th turn to straighten the spoke. After a while it becomes automatic and your spokes end up straight without you even noticing.
05-26-10, 10:25 PM
#4
cab horn
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 28,353
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 23 Times
in
17 Posts
Are you saying that some of the spokes are turned 90-degrees to the direction of travel? That's not very aero...
It's not a problem, they will actually unwind over time.
When truing, over-turn the nipple by 1/8th turn. Then unwind by 1/8th turn to straighten the spoke. After a while it becomes automatic and your spokes end up straight without you even noticing.
It's not a problem, they will actually unwind over time.
When truing, over-turn the nipple by 1/8th turn. Then unwind by 1/8th turn to straighten the spoke. After a while it becomes automatic and your spokes end up straight without you even noticing.
05-27-10, 07:39 AM
#5
Peace and bicycle grease!
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: The Island, CA
Posts: 285
Bikes: '85 Schwinn Voyageur, Ross Mt Hood, Rossin, the Nugget
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
twisted spokes are no good. use this:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/images/TL4610.JPG
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/images/TL4610.JPG
Last edited by une_vitesse; 05-27-10 at 07:42 AM. Reason: don't know html
05-27-10, 03:55 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA
Posts: 6,341
Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 549 Post(s)
Liked 320 Times
in
223 Posts
Are you saying that some of the spokes are turned 90-degrees to the direction of travel? That's not very aero...
It's not a problem, they will actually unwind over time.
When truing, over-turn the nipple by 1/8th turn. Then unwind by 1/8th turn to straighten the spoke. After a while it becomes automatic and your spokes end up straight without you even noticing.
It's not a problem, they will actually unwind over time.
When truing, over-turn the nipple by 1/8th turn. Then unwind by 1/8th turn to straighten the spoke. After a while it becomes automatic and your spokes end up straight without you even noticing.
A piece of tape on one of the spokes will give you an idea of just how much so you can avoid problems.
05-27-10, 09:05 PM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Toronto
Posts: 96
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just to close the thread - I fixed the 2 or 3 spokes that were twisted (not just rotated so they weren't aero, but twisted). Trying to hold the blade with an adjustable wrench was a PITA, I think I'll make a long holder (not as fancy as this one, but some hard plastic & hacksaw blade should do it).
05-28-10, 02:08 AM
#9
Senior Member
