I have a spoke tension meter from Park (http://www.jensonusa.com/!5ZNVsr7o541FBdQt1daMLg!/Park-Tool-TM-1-Spoke-Tension-Meter?utm_source=FRGL&utm_medium=organic&gclid=CKymw4KpsMcCFQUMaQodbTQKYw ), and the instructions say that you should measure the tension of all spokes on one side, average them, and then further adjust any spoke that is more than 20% higher or lower than the average -- that is, adjust the tension of that spoke toward the average until you get within the 20% range.
Working by sound? I don't know, and you should probably disregard the rest of this message, because it's just my guesses and inferences based on the usual grossly incomplete on-line research. But: Obviously, all other things being equal (that is, spoke length and weight, which should remain constant or close to constant in a wheel -- I suppose there's a little rim deflection when you change spoke tension, but I assume it would be trivial), the pitch (what you describe as the tone) increases with increased spoke tension. But online calculators that give the required tension for any given note/frequency suggest that the relationship between pitch and tension is not linear. That is, to increase the pitch by an octave -- which requires doubling the frequency of the note -- while holding spoke/string length and weight constant, you have to more than double the tension. So I think it would be difficult for me to "hear" whether a spoke is within that 20% range, although I bet more experienced wheelbuilders can do it with ease. FWIW, the Park tensiometer has been, for me, one of the most useful tools I've purchased, even given its ~$70 price tag. I'm not a very experienced wheelbuilder (I've probably built fewer than 30 wheels), but the relatively constant tension that I can assure using the tensiometer, together with the round and true assurance that comes from a good truing stand, gives me a lot of comfort that my wheels are sound. -----Original Message----- From: rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com [mailto:rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Toby Whitfield Sent: Monday, August 17, 2015 9:31 AM To: RBW Owners Bunch Subject: [RBW] Wheelbuilding Questions - Even tension I just built a new set of wheels, which is the first time in a while for me. I built a couple a number of years ago, but from old parts as an experiment, and never really used the wheels, which is all to say I am pretty new at this. My question is about tension evenness. I got the wheels up to a pretty high tension, and they are round and true. However, there is some variation in tone when I pluck the spokes. How good is good enough? If all spokes have pretty good tension, how much variability is acceptable? I only have tone to guide me. Is a semi-tone or whole tone (for the musically inclined) of variability ok? In some ways, I feel like having good tension and a true wheel should be good enough, and I notice that sometimes when I push for more perfection in one area, it can cascade to everything else getting worse. For some more background on the build, I used Jobst Brandt's book and Sheldon's web page to guide me. It is 650b, 36 spoke, Velocity A23 with a Shimano XT FH-732 rear, and SP SV-8 in the front. I used Sapim DB spokes (with 14-15-14 for everything except NDS rear which is 14-17-14). Thanks! Toby Toronto -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This email (and any attachments thereto) is intended only for use by the addressee(s) named herein and may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email (and any attachments thereto) is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error please immediately notify me at (212) 735-3000 and permanently delete the original email (and any copy of any email) and any printout thereof. Further information about the firm, a list of the Partners and their professional qualifications will be provided upon request. ============================================================================== -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
