I have a set of hand built wheels consisting of Mavic Open Pro rims and Shimano Ultegra Hubs. I have had a constant problem with the wheels going out of true and have been told by LBS that this is because the spokes that have been used to build the wheels are slightly too long by 1mm or so meaning it is impossible to get enough tension in the wheel. I therefore want to rebuild them using the correct length spokes. Another shop suggested to me that the lengths for the rear wheel should be (16 spokes of) 294 mm for drive side and (16 spokes of) 296 mm for non drive side. I ordered some spokes of this length by mail order. However I am worried as they measure exactly the same as the old spokes I intend to replace. The new spokes do indeed measure 294mm and 296 mm when measured from the centre of the round end to the extreme other end. I assume that this is the correct way to measure spokes. I do not want to risk rebuilding the wheel if I am not sure that I have the correct length spokes again.
Therefore does anyone know off hand (or can anyone point me in the right direction to find out) what the correct lengths of spoke should be for Mavic Open Pro rims with Ultegra hubs????!!!!
I have a set of hand built wheels consisting of Mavic Open Pro rims and Shimano Ultegra Hubs. I have had a constant problem with the wheels going out of true and have been told by LBS that this is because the spokes that have been used to build the wheels are slightly too long by 1mm or so meaning it is impossible to get enough tension in the wheel. I therefore want to rebuild them using the correct length spokes. Another shop suggested to me that the lengths for the rear wheel should be (16 spokes of) 294 mm for drive side and (16 spokes of) 296 mm for non drive side. I ordered some spokes of this length by mail order. However I am worried as they measure exactly the same as the old spokes I intend to replace. The new spokes do indeed measure 294mm and 296 mm when measured from the centre of the round end to the extreme other end. I assume that this is the correct way to measure spokes. I do not want to risk rebuilding the wheel if I am not sure that I have the correct length spokes again.
Therefore does anyone know off hand (or can anyone point me in the right direction to find out) what the correct lengths of spoke should be for Mavic Open Pro rims with Ultegra hubs????!!!!
Any help would be very much appreciated.
All the best,
Colin
You have the correct lengths. You can verify at URL: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/rinard/spocalc.xls You will need MS Excel and allow macros. You should select the "Full Strength Version" of the program. You use the "tools" to select rims and hubs. Once you get to the calculator tab you need to verify the correct number of spokes and then look in the row with the number of crossings you are using. I think you need to find another shop that will properly tension the spokes. Unless you have some unuque problems with your spoke holes and/or very skinny headed nipples you will have durable wheels once the spokes are properly tensioned, tension balanced, spoke aligned, and stress relieved.
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