How to Tighten Bike Spokes
Being proficient in basic bicycle maintenance can save a cycling enthusiast a lot of time and money. By being able to accomplish many of the necessary maintenance tasks yourself, you will not have to make trips to the bicycle shop. Knowing how to tighten and loosen the spokes on a bicycle wheel is something that you will want to learn if you want to handle the maintenance of your bicycle yourself.
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Instructions
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1
Purchase an appropriate-size spoke wrench from a bicycle shop. If you are not sure what size wrench to buy, remove the wheel and take it with you to the shop. You will want to make sure to get the exact size, because the incorrect wrench can round off the nipple on the spoke.
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2
Locate the loose spoke you wish to tighten and mark it so that it can easily be found on the wheel. Use a small piece of tape to mark it.
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3
Insert the spoke wrench onto the nipple of the spoke. Turn the nipple a quarter turn at a time in a counterclockwise direction (when looking at the nipple from the hub of the wheel).
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4
Check the tightness of the spoke by checking the tension with your fingers, and tighten more as necessary, repeating Step 3.
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5
Inspect the spokes opposite the one you are tightening, and check to see if it may now need to be loosened. By tightening one spoke too much and not loosening the other side, you can create a flat spot on the wheel.
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