MotoUtah: Motocross and Off-Road Riding in Utah

I'm just wondering if anyone out there is using a torque spoke wrench as opposed to the standard? I have been using a standard one for years, gone by "feel", and been just fine.
I just purchased a new Warp9 rear rim however and they're very insistant upon a break in, retorquing to 60 pounds several times. Being that some reviews have claimed problems with spoke break in I want to make sure I do it per manufacturers recommendation.
However, the best price I can find thru RM for an Excel wrench is $110.00. Being that you can get a regular Craftsman torque wrench for half that price, that does everything instead of just spokes, seems like quite a rip off.
If anyone out there has one, do you think it was really worth the price? I know with my Excel wheels I've never had to tighten after the break in, so I just don't know if it's worth the price for what will probably be a one time use.
Any ideas experts? Thanks in advance for your help.

I use the Fasst wrench and wouldn't go back to the old wrench for anything.

www.cyclebuy.com/shopping/fasstco/spoke_wrench.htm

I bought one from Pit Posse last year. The one RM is selling now with the changeable heads looks like the same one I have. I used it to put 3 sets of wheels together and haven't needed to use it very much since then. I use it to check them from time to time but they don't need to be tightened very often. I don't know if it was worth buying. It is nice to know they are torqued to what they are supposed to be and I'm not guessing. Since I don't have to adjust them much it seems like a waste of money but I don't know how I would know for sure that they didn't need to be adjusted without it.

If that didn't confuse you, let me know and I will try harder.

P.S. If you are going to get one, I would suggest you make sure it is an adjustable one. When I was shopping for them, either the Excel or the Fast Co. were pre-set and not adjustable.

Thanks for the replies guys. Randy, I appreciate the info on the Fasst wrench, that was another I am looking at.
Boogy Man, actually you didn't confuse me at all. I guess great minds think alike, or should I be concerned.
Thank you as well for pointing out the adjustabity issue. I was making sure they had interchangeable heads as I know that's an issue but somehow figured they would all be adjustable like a torque wrench for instance. I glad you mentioned that as I didn't notice the Excel was "factory set".

When I bought mine from Fasst they hadn't come out with the adjustable wrench yet. It was preset to 48 inch pounds and I found that this setting was to light for me. I was constantly re-torquing the spokes. I called Fasst and had them tell me how to set the inch pounds to 60 and haven't had any trouble since.

Fasst told me that they didn't recommend 60 inch pounds for anyone but Supercross riders but it is working for me perfectly.

randy wrote:


Well for what it's worth my new Warp9 specifies 60 inch pounds on their break in instuctions and I believe thats approx what my old Excels are set at too. I run Bulldog spokes on both of those as well so that could factor in as they are a 6.9 nipple.

I've built lots of wheels for top level freestyle guys that would blow up stock wheels no problem.
Most were stainless bulldogs on excel's and 60 was good. you will round the nipple's before you get them too tight!

I figure I'll be fine, don't know why I'm overthinking this one so much as I've been doing them for years without issue. I hear you about the stockers too as I've been through my share over the years.