How to torque your spokes

It is very important to only turn the spoke nipples a half of a revolution, or two flats at a time on a newly laced wheel. If you find yourself having to turn more than a half of a turn, go to the next spoke in the pattern and gradually bring the nipples up to torque by working the pattern. Once you have all your spokes close to the torque range this will no longer be necessary. If you turn the nipple more than 180 degrees to bring it up to torque you will pull the offset of the wheel off to one side or the other.

1. Start at the spoke next to the rim lock. Call it spoke #1

2. Back off spoke #1 until it turns freely, then tighten until spoke torque wrench clicks. Go to spoke #4 - repeat step #2. It will come from the other side of the wheel.

3. Go to spoke #7 - repeat step #2.

4. Go to spoke #10 - repeat step #2.

5. Continue around the wheel torquing every third spoke, until coming back to spoke #1 (on a 36-spoke wheel). Move to spoke #2 and repeat step #2.

6. Go to spoke #5, then #8, then #11, continuing this pattern all the way back to spoke #2.

7. Move to #3 and use the same procedure on spokes #6, #9, #12 and so on around the wheel.

8. It will take 3 revolutions of the wheel to complete the torquing process. You will torque 12 spokes per revolution.

9. To avoid having the nipples seizing on the spoke, it's a good idea to pull the spoke nipples off one at a time and fill them with waterproof grease. While you have the grease out, use it to fill in the void behind the wheel seals to protect the wheel bearings.