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Why do my bike spokes keep loosening?
The most common causes for spoke loosening are either not enough tension or uneven tension around the wheel. Before even thinking about changing that rim I would re-build the wheel making sure the spokes do have enough tension and have the same tension for all the spokes on the same side of the wheel.
Why are all my spokes loose?
Spokes loosen mainly because they stretch, and much of the “stretch” is due to the elbow straightening out. During the dawn of downhill racing in Scotland we would build the wheels up, use red loctite, take them out and put some stress (jumps) on them and come back to the shop for a final true.
Should my spokes be loose?
Spoke tension is important to ensure your wheels are strong, reliable and long lasting. Spokes that are too loose will continue to loosen and require constant wheel truing. Spokes that are too tight will cause damage to the rim, spoke nipples and hub flanges.
How loose should bike spokes be?
The spokes should feel tight and firm. They should have just a little give when you squeeze them fairly hard. It is rare for spokes to be too tight, but it is very common for them to be too loose. It is normal for the spokes on the freewheel side of the rear wheel to be tighter than the others.
Can I ride on Loose spokes?
Most wheels are pretty sturdy, and they will maintain their integrity even with a missing spoke. As long as your wheel is still straight and is not rubbing up against your brake pads at any point in a full turn of the wheel, you are fine to ride your bike with a broken or loose spoke.
Why do spokes break on bicycles?
Spokes may break because they are not properly tensioned. This may depend on a badly built wheel, on a bent rim or on the material of the rim having yielded because of fatigue and bulged around the spoke hole.
How do you tighten spokes on a bicycle?
Tighten or loosen the spokes so that you have even tension all the way around the rim. Spin the wheel in the truing stand or on the bike to see if it spins true and doesn’t wobble. If the wheel wobbles out of true, tighten the corresponding spokes to establish a smooth motion.
How do you adjust bicycle spokes?
How to Adjust Bike Spokes. Remove the wheel from the bike and place it in the truing stand. Adjust the caliper arm of the truing stand so that the calipers are aligned with the rim wall and are approximately 0.5 centimeter away from the rim wall. Rotate the wheel to determine if the truing calipers touch the rim.