So I built a front wheel with an old 32 hole MA2 and tensioned it to around 100 kgF, which is 10 kgF more than some random guy at the bike co-op recommended. Now that I’ve ridden maybe 300 miles on it, the brake wear on the rim is starting to look like a katana blade (pic). It’s clear that this is the resulf of the rim’s being pulled left and right by the spokes’ tension. Should I back it off a bit, or is this normal when building with old assed rims?
It doesn’t look like a katana because of the spoke tension. All wheels are like that, they get that wavy look because when the bend the rims into a hoop they crimp up. This is where machining a rim cones into play, machining takes the high spots off so you don’t get the wavy look.
The low spots are right where the rim is being pulled by a spoke on the opposite side, all the way around the rim.
It’s normal.
Over-tensioned wheels will taco themselves. If it stays true, it’s likely not over-tensioned. Plus, 100kgf ain’t all that much.
thanks bros