Loose spokes on new wheelset

[bigfella]

Commuted on my SS for the first time after building it yesterday. It was fine until I got about 3/4 home (25 miles or so) and the rear wheel started juddering when I rode.

When I stopped to check the wheel was running true still but noticed one side all of the spokes had become loose, some so loose you could tie your shoes with them.

Why has this happened? Should the wheel builder have used some Loctite on the spoke nuts?

 

[Mr Pig]

some so loose you could tie your shoes with them.

I don't believe you ;0)

 

[bigfella]

 

[PpPete]

Should the wheel builder have used some Loctite on the spoke nuts?

Conventional rims should not need Loctite. Mavic UST rims do require it.

 

[Amanda P]

The wheel was not built properly.

Hand-built wheels stay true for longer because the builder keeps tweaking until all the spokes are evenly stretched and tensioned.

Machine-built wheels don't get this. Not necessarily a problem, but the wheels will usually need some truing as the spokes stretch and bed in.

Sounds like your wheel was a dud. Unless it's some kind of exotic setup, LocTite is not used on spoke nipples.