The difference a good spoke tension meter makes on wheel builds

I built wheels for years just using the "ping and feel" method. Then I picked up a Park Tool TM-1 last month and trued up an old rear wheel for a customer in Portland. The before wheel had spokes ranging from 80 to 130 kgf, after I got them all between 110 and 115. Has anyone else noticed their wheels actually stay true longer after using a tension meter?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_jake1mo ago

Nah, I've had wheels stay just as true with the old ping method.

fiona_west211mo ago

Tried both ways and ping method has never let me down either.

joel_clark371mo ago

Throw your phone at it next time, @fiona_west21 might get a kick out of that method too. Honestly, if it holds up after a few rides and doesn't wobble, who cares how you got there. Old school or new, a true wheel is a true wheel.