Proper spoke torque?

[mwinschel]

I just ordered an adjustable torque spoke wrench to tune up the wheels on my 2011 EC200. Think spokes measured 6 or 6.1, cant remember offhand. Does anyone know if there is a specified torque for the wheelsets? I dont want to screw it up

[barossi73]

They should ring a clean tone if you spin wheel and trail a spanner across them like a guitar string.any badly loose are immediately obvious.im not sure of the correct value but id be marking the spoke with the highest tone and bringing the others up to around the same.you could measure the torque req on the first one you 'tuned up' for reference.the front wheel is a little easier,the spokes are longer and ring cleaner.be wary of ceased feeling threads...
Bring any badly loose ones up reasonably tight first,both sides and then bring the rest up to a reasonable tone
For s..ts and giggles i just checked mine with my guitar tuner app.it seems im running c# front and f# rear!
Give or take a halfnote either way...

[poelinca]

For 2014 the manual says 1,5 Nm on the spokes, you should check for 2011.

p.s. you have the manuals don't you ? http://www.gasgasmotos.es/en/manuals/models-2-2011.html

[barossi73]

Im a little wary of low torque settings on such a small thread.from new yes,after a few years gunge and moisture...not so much.the threads may be in various degrees of seize,which will make accurate torqueing difficult.id still check after torqueing that they sound firm enough.
Im interested to know how 'even' they sound with correct torque figures when your done
The 13 manual also says 1.5nm

[scratch250]

I always put a drop of lube on each nipple the day before I make adjustments. Learned this from the BMX and MTB days.

[barossi73]

Unfortunate image that conjures up scratch but good advice none the less...

[scratch250]

That didn't take long, lol...

[swazi_matt]

I have been a fan of "ding tuning" spokes. And have always questioned using torque wrench for the spokes. If the first spoke is loose (according to your torque wrench) and you torque it up you will have pulled the hub off-centre (possibly)

It is a lot cheaper to check all the spokes first and then gradually (I go through a few full revolutions of small adjustments) tighten them up until they are in tune

[mwinschel]

Originally Posted by barossi73

Im a little wary of low torque settings on such a small thread.from new yes,after a few years gunge and moisture...not so much.the threads may be in various degrees of seize,which will make accurate torqueing difficult.id still check after torqueing that they sound firm enough.
Im interested to know how 'even' they sound with correct torque figures when your done
The 13 manual also says 1.5nm

1.5 NM seems really low too. The wrench I have starts at 30 inlbs which is about twice that if my math is correct. I read someone saying either every 3 or 5 spokes to get it even and keep it true and rotate the number of turns back to start. The torque wrench manufacturers suggest 45 inlbs for most bikes which is 3 times the 1.5 roughly. I tune mtb bikes by sound, figured I would do it right on this but seems like I may risk screwing something up.

[mwinschel]

Originally Posted by barossi73

Im a little wary of low torque settings on such a small thread.from new yes,after a few years gunge and moisture...not so much.the threads may be in various degrees of seize,which will make accurate torqueing difficult.id still check after torqueing that they sound firm enough.
Im interested to know how 'even' they sound with correct torque figures when your done
The 13 manual also says 1.5nm

For anyone considering a spoke torque wrench. My hindsight vision: do not waste your money. At least with a bike that has some dirt and environmental exposure, the wrench was torque popping just getting the spokes to move back and forth at 45 inlb. It was not like they were siezed at all either, they just were firm. I will say, the wrench worked fine manually for the spokes, however I think I could do it for less than $100 US with a spoke wrench and a fingernail (guitar pick may work well too).

Next up: Pit Posse spoke toque wrench for sale - used once, like new, great product, $85.00......