Spoke tightening trick

[CombatYoga]

I learned a trick from a pro rider a couple of nights ago when he came over to help us prep our bikes for this weekend's races.

No doubt some of you vets already know this trick and I'm probably going to sound like a noob, but all my years of riding, I'd never heard of this.

He took a sharpie and marked a spoke nipple, then tightened that spoke.
Then he counted 5 spokes and tightened, 5 more and tightened, etc.

By doing it this way, the tire stays true, because you are tightening odd numbered spokes which pull the wheel from both sides. It takes 4 revolutions to hit every spoke, and you know you are done when you arrive at the spoke you marked.

Coolest tip I've heard in a long time! Thought I'd pass it on.

 

[nknudsen]

Good tip, I'll have to try it out!

 

[n_green]

Good tip. Turns out I've been doing it very wrong haha.

 

[gasser]

Don't know that I've ever tightened a gasser spoke - isn't that a something you only do on jap bikes?

 

[zeuszuki]

Don't know that I've ever tightened a gasser spoke - isn't that a something you only do on jap bikes?

You are joking ... right?

 

[Dirt Dud]

Just buy new bikes when they get loose ! Or some spare wheels

 

[bowhunter007]

Don't know that I've ever tightened a gasser spoke - isn't that a something you only do on jap bikes?

The previous owner to my former '00 XC 250 didn't tighten spokes...ever. Which is how I came to fit a Kawi rear wheel.

 

[robicon]

LOL I don't buy a new bike but I have bought a new wheel. funny thing is I have been riding for 37 years and only tried to do my cr60 as a kid. I haven't tried since it was so bad, but i may try again nice tip.

 

[3beejay3]

I do them every 3rd spoke, starting at either the rim lock or valve stem. Same result, 3 revolutions. Takes just a few minutes per wheel.

More important however is to put spoke seal in the spoke nipples when the bike is new - keeps them from seizing.

 

[nknudsen]

Most likely if the spokes haven't been tightened in a while they'll be stuck. I like to line the jaws of a Vise Grips with some soft aluminum sheet stock and clamp the Vise Grips near the nipple on the spoke to hold the spoke when attempting to tighten it. The aluminum reduces marring up the spoke.

 

[rubber Jonny]

I do them every 3rd spoke, starting at either the rim lock or valve stem. Same result.

Agreed, no need for a pen just use the valve, much easier!

 

[GasGas]

I do them every 3rd spoke, starting at either the rim lock or valve stem. Same result, 3 revolutions. Takes just a few minutes per wheel.

More important however is to put spoke seal in the spoke nipples when the bike is new - keeps them from seizing.

I use the same method. Works great.

 

[Jakobi]

What are you all doing to make your spokes come loose?

 

[rubber Jonny]

smashing loads of rocks flat out !!!!!!!!

 

[Jakobi]

I must be manginaish. I check em every now and then and all seem good. Only time they're not is after smashing rocks proper, where the rim somewhat appears flat. Then for some strange reason the opposing spokes always seem a tad loose.

 

[3beejay3]

What are you all doing to make your spokes come loose?

For me it's just a part of normal maintenance. I check em every few months or so.