Bicycle digital spoke tension meter based on Jobst Brandt design

thingiverse

This project is still in its early stages and requires further development. To get updates, make sure to click the "Watch" button as liking or adding it to a collection won't provide access to those updates. A spoke tension meter uses a spring to create deflection in a bicycle spoke and a digital gauge to measure this deflection. This measured deflection corresponds directly to the tension in the spoke. Knowing the tension allows a wheel builder to build to the recommended maximum tension specified by the rim, ensuring spokes are neither too tight nor too loose. This design draws heavily from the original Jobst Brandt design created in 1975. While other spoke tension meters exist, I prefer the Brandt design due to its use of a light spring that adds minimal deflection to the spoke and measures on the same side as reference points, making it less affected by spoke geometry. Significant credit goes to Modellaner for his Tensiometer, which inspired this project. Working on this project has been enjoyable, but there is still much to be done. I would like to thank Quang Vuong for sharing his idea and resources with us. Additionally, thanks go to Modellaner for converting the DXF drawings provided by Quang Vuong into PDF format, as my attempts at doing so were not successful. This project was designed using Fusion 360. Instead of including static F3D files, you can access the latest version of the design through this link: https://a360.co/2PcaNK6 If you choose to use the specified gauge, I recommend removing the ball point at the end of the indicator. This component serves no purpose and may make obtaining a good reading more challenging due to instability against the side of a cylinder. Additionally, it makes the indicator longer and might not provide enough space for inserting a spoke when opening the tool. Before installing the gauge in the tool body, remove the ball point indicator end. This can be achieved by using pliers and unscrewing it as you would any right-hand screw. You can leave the end of the indicator shaft without anything threaded into it; the flat end will work well with the side of a spoke. You can swap in any other gauge that fits, but keep in mind that this design is based on specific dimensions listed. Another gauge may have a different length for the clamp area and overall length. These factors are not standardized on linear indicator gauges, so changing them might affect the tool's functionality.