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Wheel lacing spokes

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2026 5:27 pm
by dennis.t
I have laced a number of wheels with spokes in my time but this one looks wrong. I bought a Valtru stainless rim and spokes from the Devon Rim company. When I came to lace the spokes the rim was marked "Drive side" in felt tip pen though it has worn off during fitting (see photo).
I followed the pattern of spokes from a front wheel; the one with the tyre on in the photo. The drive side spokes went on as expected but on the other side the spokes look bent under tension. See photos. Also, on the wheel I was copying the spoke adjacent to the tyre valve is on the right as you look at it while on the Valtru rim the corresponding spoke is on the left of the valve. I am not happy with the result as the spokes look strained out of position.
Could it be that whoever marked up "Drive side" on the new rim got it wrong?
Is it worth taking the spokes out and reversing sides?
I should welcome any helpful comments.
Sorry I could not orientate the photos.
Dennis
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Re: Wheel lacing spokes

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2026 6:33 pm
by simon.holyfield
I think the rim is back to front. I built one the wrong way round a few years ago with similar results!

The last set of wheels I built (for the FH) were from Devon - the quality is superb, they almost need no truing.

Re: Wheel lacing spokes

Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2026 7:42 pm
by dennis.t
Simes, many thanks for your reply. I have no complaints about the quality of the rim or spokes but I may have been mis-led by the labelling of the apparent "Drive side"
As I am not happy with the current set up I will take it apart and try it the other way around.
Dennis