mkadam68

Anyone have a link to recommended values for spoke tension in various wheels? Specificlaly, Mavic? I've been to their website and can find nothing. I've searched BF and found only two threads but didn't get anything out of them.

I'd like to build some of my own wheels and utilize a spoke tensiometer, but that won't help if I don't know how tight to make them

waterrockets 

This is the only table I've seen.

In the past, I've had good response from Velocity with email (same day reply).

mkadam68

Yeah, I found that on Park's website too. Doesn't list Mavic CXP33's that I own that I'd like to check the tension first with.

waterrockets 

Phone Mavic.

I would say 120kgf, but that's a guess.

I did find this post that says 110kgf - 125kgf: https://forums.roadbikereview.com/sho...55#post1013555

well biked

Slightly OT, but what effect does the number of spokes have on max. recommended tension? Say, for example, would you use more spoke tension for a 32 spoke wheel than a 36 spoke, given that the rims were otherwise the same?........Btw, I'd also love to know Mavic's recommended tension for some of their rims, such as the A719, X517, and Module E's. The X517's have been replaced in the Mavic lineup by the 717, and the Module E's are quite old.

urbanknight

Mark, you can always use the values of a similar rim (similar weight, profile, eyelets, etc.) but as mentioned above, Mavic should be able to give you the values. Also keep in mind that this is like horseshoes and hand grenades where close is fine.

silent1

I always use the value given on the Park sheet. It comes with the tensionmeter with instructions on how to measure different types of spokes. For these wheels I would call Mavic and see what you get. If they don't answer I would just buy the tool and use the Park worksheet.

Deanster04

Thanks for the link. I have been looking for some information like this. I build my own wheels as I have for the last 35 years. Today I use mainly Mavic OpenPro and CPX 33 or DT Swiss RR 1.1 rims. I prefer rims with double eyelets as I am a larger rider and like to take my road bike on dirt roads. I had used the information from Gerd Schraner and I prefer running my tension up to the high side. Again Thanks.

waterrockets 

You're welcome. Nice sloop. I used to sail with my dad in Colorado. Where is that? Is that a McGregor? Can't quite make it out.

blamp28

I have seen that table before. I pretty much default to 115 - 120 kgf if I do not know the spec on a particular rim. It is within the range of all but the specialty rims.

well biked

The Mavic rims on that chart are "specialty" rims, at least they're all rims that are on Mavic proprietary factory wheelsets. The rims that you'd use to build up your own wheels aren't on there. The few places I've seen recommended tension for those rims (Open Pro, etc) was more like 100kgf to 110 kgf, but it was just someone's opinion, I don't know if it's what Mavic says. Anyone know Mavic's phone number for tech help? I called them about something years ago, but I don't know where I got the phone number. I don't see it on the website-

Al1943

The maximum tension should be based on the rim, not the spoke. The Park tension chart is simply how to convert their deflection number to kgf, not meant to be a limit. With high quality wheel components the rim is the weakest link.

lotek 

Mavic doesn't list phone numbers on any of their web sites but state that
all queries go to your LBS.

edt: remove the comment about previous post, honest mistake.

DannoXYZ 

Tension also depends upon the number of spokes. Low spoke-count wheels have a lot more tension to account for fewer spokes.

well biked

Any particular guideline in regard to this? A percentage difference between 32 and 36, for instance?

cachehiker

I've always taken about 3500 and divided by the lowest number of spokes an eyeletted rim is typically drilled for to get a ball park maximum kgf for the drive side rear. I'll lower it by 10% if the rim I'm working with isn't eyeletted and go a little lower still if it's single wall.

This gives 110kgf for rims that only come drilled for 32 and 36 spokes, 125kgf for 28 spoke Open Pros. It furthermore gives 145kgf for deeper section rims that are regularly sold drilled for 24 spokes and as much as 175 kgf for my "boutique" 20 spoke Ksyrium Elites. I will aim for this number or a little lower when tensioning the matching front wheel. Gerd Schraner's book indicates the DT Champion and Competition Spokes I generally use can handle as much as 200 kgf.

I'm sure there are better ways to do it but after building about 15 wheels and rebuilding or retensioning about a half dozen more, I have yet to have a failure and all my wheels have stayed true. Although I tend to be pretty abusive, I don't know of anybody over about 175 lbs. riding any of them either.

Does anybody know of any specific manufacturer's tension recommendations that run counter to this?

Soil_Sampler

off the mavic site.
Oops! Guess I need reading glasses? 888-466-2842

https://www.tech-mavic.com/tech-mavic...themes/2_4.pdf

well biked

Well I'll be damned. Thanks for the number, after all-

lotek 

Soil Sampler,

Sorry for the comment above given it was an honest mistake,
I offer my humble apology.
Also editing my post.

Marty

well biked

I removed my posts as well regarding the mistaken phone number. And thanks to Soil Sampler supplying the Mavic phone number, I've got a little info relating to the thread. Mavic was very helpful and provided the following:

Mavic CXP33 rim, Open Pro rim, and A719 rim:
recommended rear drive side tension: 105-110 kgf
Spoke count not critical in regard to tension with these rims, just the keep the average tension around 105-110 kgf per spoke on the rear drive side.

ERD
CXP33: 595mm
Open Pro: 602mm
A719: 599mm

waterrockets 

Good info, thanks. That's lower than I expected, but not much. Velocity told me 120kgf DS rear on a 36h Deep V.

Soil_Sampler

ERD
CXP33: 595mm
Open Pro: 602mm
A719: 599mm

Be careful, Mavic uses Spoke Support Diameter, not ERD.

Google Mavic Effective Rim Diameter and you will find most recommend SSD+3mm

PS. You guys are buying the next round of beers!

mkadam68

Yeah, you guys are awesome.

Now, ERD would be useful in calculating the necessary length of spokes? Or is it for something else?


Also, since the rear drive side tension is about 105--110, non-drive side and front should be about half that? This sounds too low to me. (And front wheel?)

waterrockets 

I'd put the front at that 105-110 number too. NDS rear is what it is, depending on flange dimensions and lacing pattern.

mkadam68

Oh...I see. Little dense this am.