Can someone help me convert from Bontrager "gauge units" to a number I can use without a custom Bontrager tensionometer? This is for a 2004 Bontrager Select Road wheelset, rear wheel. The 2003 Service Manual (that's the latest on their web site) shows 110-150 "gauge units" (and "load" of 110-290 lbs). It's a 24-spoke wheel with 14G (2.0 mm) spokes. Rider weight is 185 lbs.
Can someone help me convert from Bontrager "gauge units" to a number I can use without a custom Bontrager tensionometer? This is for a 2004 Bontrager Select Road wheelset, rear wheel. The 2003 Service Manual (that's the latest on their web site) shows 110-150 "gauge units" (and "load" of 110-290 lbs). It's a 24-spoke wheel with 14G (2.0 mm) spokes. Rider weight is 185 lbs.
Thanks.
-- Daniel
Gauge units are deflection of the Bontrager/Hozan gauge in millimeters.
"Load" is what you want; it's the spoke tension in pounds.
Check the spoke diameter to be sure of whether or not they're butted. Some Selects I've seen have 2.0 - 1.8 mm spokes.
Is the tension listed for the butted spokes the same as the tension should be for straight spokes? After re-building, the rim is slightly larger, as evidenced by the difficulty of installing and removing the tire. I have trued the wheel near the maximum tension values on the drive side (290 lbs, or "25" on my TM-1 Tensionometer) and the dish is spot-on.
Is the tension listed for the butted spokes the same as the tension should be for straight spokes? After re-building, the rim is slightly larger, as evidenced by the difficulty of installing and removing the tire. I have trued the wheel near the maximum tension values on the drive side (290 lbs, or "25" on my TM-1 Tensionometer) and the dish is spot-on.
Yes, use the same tension for straight and butted spokes. A butted spoke can easily sustain all the tension necessary for a bicycle wheel.
Is the tension listed for the butted spokes the same as the tension should be for straight spokes?
As Michael said, yep.
Quoted message said:
After re-building, the rim is slightly larger, as evidenced by the difficulty of installing and removing the tire.
Try mounting the tire from the other side of the wheel. For some reason (the offset spoke bed maybe?) I've noticed it can be easier on one side.
Speaking of OSB, check that it's facing the right way. I've built these wrong way around before. :-(
Quoted message said:
I have trued the wheel near the maximum tension values on the drive side (290 lbs, or "25" on my TM-1 Tensionometer) and the dish is spot-on.
Good job! Enjoy your new wheel.
My OSB rim UNDERdished the rear wheel (Velocity Aerohead/AmClassic). My NDS spokes are tighter than my DS spokes, but close enough to essentially call the wheel "undished." Not by much, but definitely did the trick. -- Phil, Squid-in-Training