At TMWORKS we work every day on building wheels that have to be reliable in all conditions. That requires attention, experience and tools that do exactly what they are meant to do. To keep improving, we continue to invest in new equipment. Our latest addition is the GRS Engineering The Kraken spoke destressing machine. A significant step forward for us and especially for the quality of the wheels we deliver.
Why destressing matters
During the tensioning and finishing of a wheel, inevitable stresses build up in the spokes and nipples. Even with careful work, small residual stresses can remain. These may later show up as slight relaxation, spoke movement or a wheel that needs to be touched up after some riding.
Proper destressing prevents these issues. By applying controlled load to the spokes before the wheel is completed, everything settles the way it should. This results in a wheel that stays true longer, holds its tension better and feels stable from the very first ride.
What makes The Kraken special
The Kraken performs this process far more consistently than is possible by hand. The machine applies an even, repeatable force across the spoke set, giving every spoke the same treatment. This improves overall consistency and reduces variation between different wheels or even between different stages of the build.
For us, this means we can guarantee the same level of reliability for lightweight racing builds or more complex lacing patterns as we can for our standard configurations.
An investment you notice in the final product
Choosing The Kraken is not about having a new gadget in the workshop. It is a deliberate investment in quality. We want our customers to trust that their wheels will not need early adjustments, that they hold their shape even after long rides or rough terrain and that every wheel leaving TMWORKS is worthy of that trust.
Whether you race, ride gravel or use your wheels intensively every day, stability and durability should be a given. This machine helps us deliver that more consistently.
Craft and technique
Wheelbuilding at TMWORKS will always remain a craft. But with tools like The Kraken we can perform the steps that need to be precise and repeatable with even greater accuracy. It allows us to combine traditional craftsmanship with technology that helps make every wheel just that little bit better.