Re: [CR]Spoke tension recommendations?

The basic principle is that you want to make them as tight as possible short of warping the wheel or breaking something. Usually, the rim is the limiting factor. If it starts to warp--like a potato chip--it's too tight. Most modern rims will easily handle 100 KGF, but older ones may not. The rims on my Carlton (ultralight steel) warped at something considerably less than 100; I can't remember the exact value. So, in general, I make the front spokes 100 KGF if the rim can take it. The rear is more of a problem--often, I find that 100 KGF on the right side means that the left must be down around 40 (I'm going from memory here, so the numbers may not be exactly right), which seems awfully low. I then make the right side 120, which puts the left at about 50. I'm afraid to go much higher on the right, especially with older rims, for fear that the spokes might pull out of the holes.

You can check Brandt's book for the yield strength of the spokes. These numbers should be comfortably below the yield point for both 2.0 and 1.8 MM spokes. I don't think you will reach the yield point without damaging the rim, but fatigue--the REAL reason spokes break--is much worse near that point.

Whatever else you do, don't neglect to stress relieve the spokes!

Finally, before anyone suggests it, making the tensions high makes the wheel stonger but NOT stiffer.

Steve Maas
Dublin, Ireland