Item # PAR0172

Park Tool Spoke Tension Meter - TM-1 $84.95
Reviews & Community
REVIEWS
A standard tool in most any decent shop
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
Simple and straight forward to use. Essential for wheel building. My favorite spoke tension meter similar to the Wheelsmith tool from decades ago.
Decent tool, use carefully
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
The tool does what is required of it, it will give you a base tension number to help build wheels and get even tension across the wheel. That being said, I've found that you need to be careful using the tool to get accurate measurements. I always make sure to release the pressure pins slowly onto the spoke to get a more accurate reading, and not "snap" the tool onto the spokes. Also make sure not to drop it or bang it around alot, because the calibration can get thrown off. Works great if you build a couple wheelsets a year, but if you really get into it, pay the money for the DT tensiometer that is far more accurate.
Gets the Job Done
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
You have to be pretty diligent with your measurements with this tool. Measuring the same place on every spoke is critical, and readings are still inconsistent sometimes. All said it gets the job done, and we built a wheel using it and it has stayed true.
how else to know spoke tension?
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
I've built a handful of wheels over the years and with a few more in my near future (dynamo wheels for fatbike and randonee bike) figured I'd get serious about spoke tension rather than by feel. Couple of the rim makers published tension specs so I could build with confidence. On the others (carbon) I could get them true and evenly tensioned and they've held up well so far. Deducting a star because its a pretty simplistic tool yet costs as much as a decent rim...
Accurate!
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
This little tool is very important when building a wheel. Getting each spoke to the same, correct tension will ensure you end up with a true and round wheel. Comes with easy to use tension guide for every wheel build out there.
Is that item help you solve for wheel rebuilding ? yes or no.
Yes, This determines the tension is correct as you tighten the spokes.
thank you about that! have a great day1
Easy to use
- Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
Built a rear wheel with this and checking tension was the least time consuming part of the build. Much easier than using a guitar tuner and more accurate than gauging with hand squeezes.
Quality is nice and is a must for home mechanics.

Solid, Quality Tool
- Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
The pictures make this look cheap an flimsy. It solid piece of anodized blue metal and has a tension spring that measures tension. It is actually a really nice tool and seems to be really precise. The box it came in was nice enough that I store the tool in there for safe keeping rather than hanging it. It also comes with a really nice tension conversion chart and spoke sizing measuring tool.
Is like having a handpump!
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
Gotta have this if your a true shadetree bike mechanic like myself. What use is the wheel truing stand without a meter to let you know how out of tension those spokes are! Simple and easy to use and made like a tank! If your concerned with a true wheel then you better be also concerned with proper spoke tension too.