Spoke Tension Meter?

[daniel1988]

Hi there, I just wanted to know if you all use a spoke tensioning meter (park tool TM-1) when tensioning your spokes, or if there was another way of doing it without one as they are quite pricey for a bit of plastic! I wondered whether you just guess within reason or go by feel? thanks

[nfmisso]

Read: http://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html#tensioning

I do it by feel and acoustic note.

[daniel1988]

Thanks Nigel, I will get some pictures of centering issue, thanks again!

[cny-man]

You could not find a spoke tension meter in 99% of the shops up through the 70's. Somehow we managed. It's a useful tool but only if used by someone who already understands wheel structure and tension. One can easily get even spoke tension on a used wheel and have it completely out of true. Getting the right tension will do nothing to resolve your centering issue mentioned on the other post. Please read my post in that thread.