Spoke tuning advice please

[john xyz]

We're off to Paris on Sunday. Have completed an overnight fully loaded test run, and i notice gthat my rear spokes have very very slightly more play than the front wheel. Under normal cycling i wouldnt worry. But could this have been caused by teh extra 10kilo or so of weight which it wouldnt have been used to?

Should i tighten them, and if so how?

Thanks all.

 

[Arsen Gere]

The weight should not make a difference as every time you get on and off it would change. I am sure the members here differ by 10 kilos in weight too so a bigger person should not cause that effect.
You need a spoke key to tighten spokes but you have to know what you are doing. You can be on for hours tightening and losening if the wheel goes out of alignment. I'd say it is an LBS job, get them to check it and see whether your 'perception' needs attention.

 

[Amanda P]

Spin the wheel. Is it straight and true? No egg-shaped-ness or side-to-side wobbles?

If not, leave it alone.

 

[john xyz]

Thanks for that. They are slightly less taut - if i run a small screwdriver lightly over them, the note produced is about a quarter tone lower than the fronts! Think i'll leave it if i cant do it myself safely. I thoought just a slight turn going round opposites all the time might cure it but its no issue i'm sure...
Merci!

 

[john xyz]

Wheel is pretty much ok - tiny tiny bit of gentle brake pad scuff on one part, but thats not unusual. ta.

 

[amaferanga]

The drive side spokes should be under greater tension than the non-drive side spokes. Which side have you been testing?

But I agree with others - if the wheel is true and round then leave it alone. You would make it worse whatever you do.

 

[john xyz]

How intriguing! I tested the non drive side - and yes, the drive side are the tiniest bit tighter. Good stuff - i'll forget about it - nuff to worry about!