There is a long tradition of wire tie and soldering spokes. I’ve admired wheels built in the 1890s, vintage road bikes at Spence Wolfe’s Cupertino Bike Shop, and many a Track wheel sporting this wheel finishing technique. I learned the practice in a DT Swiss wheel building class in the mid-nineties, and practice it I did. While I am certain of the efficacy of this technique, others can be dismissive of wire tying and soldering spokes. The following is my defense.
-Ultimate Expression of Craftsmanship
-Valid Feature or Snake Oil?
-It’s All About Spoke Movement
I love the appearance of well executed wire tie and solder work. The wire wrapped tight, bending to the contour of the spokes, solder flowing through the valleys…not an extra drop to be seen. It gleams brightly when new, creating a silver halo on spinning wheel, then ages gracefully as it developes a lovely gray patina. In my estimation, beautifully tied and soldered spokes are the ultimate expression of an exquisitely crafted wheel. ‘Just want to get my bias out in the open!
“Nice tie and solder work” a prominent custom wheel builder commented while not admiring a pair of my wheel… “you know it doesn’t do anything.” Ouch! The objections to tie and solder work mostly challenges claims of added stiffness (I make no such claims), long part of mystique associated with the technique. I’m not aware of any testing that demonstrates an improvement in stiffness, neither lateral nor torsional, so, point for the detractors. Some are concerned about damaging spokes by overheating them. Overheating while soldering is certainly possible, I’ve just not seen it in practice. Others don’t like the appearance of rusty and degrading wire. I didn’t like it either, so I eventually made the switch from steel to copper.
The only claim I make regarding tying and soldering wheels is that it reduces spoke movement. Minimizing spoke movement should be the central obsession of any wheel builder (when spokes move, they work harden and break). Verum wheels always feature asymmetric rims, and are built to high even spoke tension all in service of minimizing spoke movement as the wheels cycle. But, alas, spokes still move, the evidence of which is the witness marks that develop between crossing spokes with use. Binding spokes together can dramatically reduce the development of such marks on spokes… strong evidence that it is reducing spoke movement. Tied and soldered spokes are less likely to brake from the accumulation of fatigue that results from spoke movement. They also have the side benefit of staying tied to their partner if they do break, resulting in far less broke spoke mischief.
I want you to break fewer spokes. I’d also like your wheels to scream “I was exquisitely hand crafted” ‘till all the other wheels in earshot are green with envy! Add it to a custom order request if you’re with me.