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Spoke tension gauge

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  • June 30, 2022 at 11:18 am #32154
    don simon fbpe

    Can anyone recommend a spoke tension gauge, anything but Park Tools?

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Viewing 12 replies - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)
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  • June 30, 2022 at 3:44 pm #994221
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    hawkinspeter

    Richbeck wrote:

    Richbeck wrote:

    Not cheap, but I guess if David at DCR uses one, then it must be good!

    Tools – DCR Wheels https://dcrwheels.co.uk/products/misc-parts/tools/


    I like the look of that spoke holder, but can’t justify replacing my Park Tool one.

    June 30, 2022 at 3:21 pm #994219
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    hawkinspeter

    Had to hunt around a bit to
    Had to hunt around a bit to find the spokes (DT Swiss Aero comp) as well, so I hope I don’t need to get some 256mm ones

    June 30, 2022 at 2:55 pm #994217
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    don simon fbpe

    Ah OK.

    Ah OK.

    June 30, 2022 at 2:35 pm #994215
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    hawkinspeter

    Couldn’t find one for
    Couldn’t find one for straight pull spokes using the Prime RD010 hub and Prime 60mm rim

    June 30, 2022 at 2:30 pm #994213
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    don simon fbpe

    Oof! Cheers.

    Oof! Cheers.

    June 30, 2022 at 2:25 pm #994211
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    Richbeck

    Not cheap, but I guess if

    Not cheap, but I guess if David at DCR uses one, then it must be good!

    Tools – DCR Wheels https://dcrwheels.co.uk/products/misc-parts/tools/

    June 30, 2022 at 2:21 pm #994209
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    don simon fbpe

    I was thinking more on the

    I was thinking more on the lines of this, https://www.prowheelbuilder.com/spokelengthcalculator where someone’s already done the work.

    June 30, 2022 at 2:02 pm #994207
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    hawkinspeter

    I did use an online spoke
    I did use an online spoke calculator, but must have got one of the measurements wrong. Probably the distance to the rim including the nipple height (which I didn’t have).

    June 30, 2022 at 12:39 pm #994205
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    don simon fbpe

    Not a necessary tool, just

    Not a necessary tool, just useful.

    June 30, 2022 at 12:26 pm #994203
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    don simon fbpe

    My musical skills would be of

    My musical skills would be of no benefit at all. Do you not use an on-line spoke calculator?

    EDIT: Park Tools not just expensive, but pretty poor quality too.

    June 30, 2022 at 12:17 pm #994201
    0
    Miller

    Couple of years back I bought

    Couple of years back I bought a cheap version, Wiggle’s LifeLine X-Tools Spoke Tension meter, and it’s been very beneficial for my occasional wheel building. My main discovery was something that I had already suspected, that I wasn’t putting on enough tension. Winding 120kgf onto a driveside spoke takes quite some finger strength but it needs to be done. Modern carbon rims are rated for that sort of tension.

    No recommendation then but I do think they are a worthwhile tool.

    June 30, 2022 at 11:46 am #994199
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    hawkinspeter

    Well, there’s some cheap ones

    Well, there’s some cheap ones on EBay, but I’ve only ever tried the Park Tool one which is overpriced.

    To be honest, I don’t find a spoke tension guage that much use as once you’ve built a couple of wheels, you can pretty much tell which spokes are too loose or too tight by trying to deform them or if you’re musically minded, plucking them and listening to the tones.

    However, I may not be the best person to make recommendations as I’m in the middle of building a Prime Carbon 60 rear wheel but bought the wrong spokes – I calculated that I should use 260/262mm ones but soon realised that they’re too long. Now mucking around with swapping the 260mm spokes with 258mm ones and will replace the 262mm with the 260mm ones. I hope I don’t have to get even shorter ones.

    Edit: just seen that there are some phone apps for judging spoke tension by the note – similar to a guitar tuning app.

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