Wheel Building Site
#1
my nice bike is at home
Thread Starter
Wheel Building Site
Is there a site or or any good You-Tube videos for wheel building? I am attempting my first build.
My brother has the skills, so I could ask him for pointers. He built me a very nice wheel once, an amazing wheel in fact.
...but he lives 7 hrs away, with bad phone reception.
Also: How much are good quality spokes, in general ....and in specific : this is for a 451 sized wheel so the spokes might have to be 'custom-cut' or at least will be very hard to find?
I'd like to use DT Swiss..just because.. you, know: Switzerland!
...but are those still actually MADE there? Will it be hard to find an odd size? I will be needing 32 of 'em minimum....
Thanks..
My brother has the skills, so I could ask him for pointers. He built me a very nice wheel once, an amazing wheel in fact.
...but he lives 7 hrs away, with bad phone reception.
Also: How much are good quality spokes, in general ....and in specific : this is for a 451 sized wheel so the spokes might have to be 'custom-cut' or at least will be very hard to find?
I'd like to use DT Swiss..just because.. you, know: Switzerland!
...but are those still actually MADE there? Will it be hard to find an odd size? I will be needing 32 of 'em minimum....
Thanks..
__________________
BMC Race Machine / BMC Team Machine / Rossin Record / 80's Pinarello Traviso / Merlin MTB / Raleigh "Folding 20" / Ti-Swift (!)
Erikson w/C&C couplers / Trek's: 2300, 1200, 990 / Jamis 'Sputnik'
BMC Race Machine / BMC Team Machine / Rossin Record / 80's Pinarello Traviso / Merlin MTB / Raleigh "Folding 20" / Ti-Swift (!)
Erikson w/C&C couplers / Trek's: 2300, 1200, 990 / Jamis 'Sputnik'
#3
Senior Member
if you want to read about it: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html
How to lace a 32 spoke 3 cross wheel: https://www.google.com/search?q=laci...TF-8#kpvalbx=1
The same group - The Bike Tube - has plenty of youtube videos on how to proceed beyond lacing.
How to lace a 32 spoke 3 cross wheel: https://www.google.com/search?q=laci...TF-8#kpvalbx=1
The same group - The Bike Tube - has plenty of youtube videos on how to proceed beyond lacing.
#4
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The problem with most sites - with the exception of Sheldon Brown is that they get a lot of things wrong.
ERD - many just don't know what it is.
DISH - many don't know that there's two kinds of dish, and which one is directly relevant to building a wheel.
Stress Relief - many don't know what it is OR use something that isn't or threaten to taco the wheel.
The posted video isn't too bad...for stress relief...ONLY if your stomping action is actually being stopped by limiting action of the spokes themselves.
Light stomping, or easy squeezes using the hand method doesn't cut it - you really have to drive the tension up a good 30%-50% - using the hand method with gloves is painful.
=8-)
ERD - many just don't know what it is.
DISH - many don't know that there's two kinds of dish, and which one is directly relevant to building a wheel.
Stress Relief - many don't know what it is OR use something that isn't or threaten to taco the wheel.
The posted video isn't too bad...for stress relief...ONLY if your stomping action is actually being stopped by limiting action of the spokes themselves.
Light stomping, or easy squeezes using the hand method doesn't cut it - you really have to drive the tension up a good 30%-50% - using the hand method with gloves is painful.
=8-)
__________________
5000+ wheels built since 1984...
Disclaimer:
1. I do not claim to be an expert in bicycle mechanics despite my experience.
2. I like anyone will comment in other areas.
3. I do not own the preexisting concepts of DISH and ERD.
4. I will provide information as I always have to others that I believe will help them protect themselves from unscrupulous mechanics.
5. My all time favorite book is:
Kahane, Howard. Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life
5000+ wheels built since 1984...
Disclaimer:
1. I do not claim to be an expert in bicycle mechanics despite my experience.
2. I like anyone will comment in other areas.
3. I do not own the preexisting concepts of DISH and ERD.
4. I will provide information as I always have to others that I believe will help them protect themselves from unscrupulous mechanics.
5. My all time favorite book is:
Kahane, Howard. Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 3,504
Bikes: 2001 Tommasini Sintesi w/ Campagnolo Daytona 10 Speed
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if you want to read about it: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html
How to lace a 32 spoke 3 cross wheel: https://www.google.com/search?q=laci...TF-8#kpvalbx=1
The same group - The Bike Tube - has plenty of youtube videos on how to proceed beyond lacing.
How to lace a 32 spoke 3 cross wheel: https://www.google.com/search?q=laci...TF-8#kpvalbx=1
The same group - The Bike Tube - has plenty of youtube videos on how to proceed beyond lacing.
Sadly, their video on spoke length determination would indicate that:
A. They're reliant on misinformation for ERD.
B. Likely do not know what it really is and how it's determined.
For example, he went ahead and trusted the 605 number for the Mavic Open Pro which made me cringe.
=8-(
__________________
5000+ wheels built since 1984...
Disclaimer:
1. I do not claim to be an expert in bicycle mechanics despite my experience.
2. I like anyone will comment in other areas.
3. I do not own the preexisting concepts of DISH and ERD.
4. I will provide information as I always have to others that I believe will help them protect themselves from unscrupulous mechanics.
5. My all time favorite book is:
Kahane, Howard. Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life
5000+ wheels built since 1984...
Disclaimer:
1. I do not claim to be an expert in bicycle mechanics despite my experience.
2. I like anyone will comment in other areas.
3. I do not own the preexisting concepts of DISH and ERD.
4. I will provide information as I always have to others that I believe will help them protect themselves from unscrupulous mechanics.
5. My all time favorite book is:
Kahane, Howard. Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life
#7
#8
Senior Member
Sadly, their video on spoke length determination would indicate that:
A. They're reliant on misinformation for ERD.
B. Likely do not know what it really is and how it's determined.
For example, he went ahead and trusted the 605 number for the Mavic Open Pro which made me cringe.
=8-(
A. They're reliant on misinformation for ERD.
B. Likely do not know what it really is and how it's determined.
For example, he went ahead and trusted the 605 number for the Mavic Open Pro which made me cringe.
=8-(
Being a novice I looked at all sorts of videos and written material before starting my first build. The thing I was most concerned about was ordering the correct length spokes so I used 3 different web sites to verify. The results were within .5 mm of each other. Having spokes too short or long would be a bummer!
#9
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Is there a site or or any good You-Tube videos for wheel building? I am attempting my first build.
My brother has the skills, so I could ask him for pointers. He built me a very nice wheel once, an amazing wheel in fact.
...but he lives 7 hrs away, with bad phone reception.
Also: How much are good quality spokes, in general ....and in specific : this is for a 451 sized wheel so the spokes might have to be 'custom-cut' or at least will be very hard to find?
I'd like to use DT Swiss..just because.. you, know: Switzerland!
...but are those still actually MADE there? Will it be hard to find an odd size? I will be needing 32 of 'em minimum....
Thanks..
My brother has the skills, so I could ask him for pointers. He built me a very nice wheel once, an amazing wheel in fact.
...but he lives 7 hrs away, with bad phone reception.
Also: How much are good quality spokes, in general ....and in specific : this is for a 451 sized wheel so the spokes might have to be 'custom-cut' or at least will be very hard to find?
I'd like to use DT Swiss..just because.. you, know: Switzerland!
...but are those still actually MADE there? Will it be hard to find an odd size? I will be needing 32 of 'em minimum....
Thanks..
As to spokes, you'll need to figure out what length spokes you need before you start anything. This spoke calculator is reasonable reliable for modern hubs and spokes. You can also make the measurements and input the data. Based on a Shimano hub and a Sun rim, you are going to need spokes around 210mm to 215mm (the details will vary). DT makes them but they may be difficult to find. You'll probably have the best luck looking for BMX parts. Prices on spokes are also variable. DT and Sapim are going to be around $1 per spoke.
And don't walk on your wheels. They aren't meant for that. Hjertberg (and others) form the spokes around the hub so that you don't have to walk on them.
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#10
my nice bike is at home
Thread Starter
Perfect, this should get me going. I feel like wheel-building is some uncharted territory I must traverse.
Hmmm, Bicycling Magazine's Eric Hjertberg, sounds familiar I guess I remember reading his name 'back in the day'.
The hub is a Ritchey 32h
Rim will be: 20" x 1-1/8 Sun Assault SL1 BMX rim Black - Double Wall - Aluminum - 32h - 451mm
It is a front wheel for a folding bike, Ti-"Swift" folder..
Thanks All!
Hmmm, Bicycling Magazine's Eric Hjertberg, sounds familiar I guess I remember reading his name 'back in the day'.
The hub is a Ritchey 32h
Rim will be: 20" x 1-1/8 Sun Assault SL1 BMX rim Black - Double Wall - Aluminum - 32h - 451mm
It is a front wheel for a folding bike, Ti-"Swift" folder..
Thanks All!
__________________
BMC Race Machine / BMC Team Machine / Rossin Record / 80's Pinarello Traviso / Merlin MTB / Raleigh "Folding 20" / Ti-Swift (!)
Erikson w/C&C couplers / Trek's: 2300, 1200, 990 / Jamis 'Sputnik'
BMC Race Machine / BMC Team Machine / Rossin Record / 80's Pinarello Traviso / Merlin MTB / Raleigh "Folding 20" / Ti-Swift (!)
Erikson w/C&C couplers / Trek's: 2300, 1200, 990 / Jamis 'Sputnik'
Last edited by kraftwerk; 05-15-19 at 09:15 AM.
#11
I like his method for spoking a wheel. https://www.scribd.com/doc/26719057/...Wheel-Building
#12
Half way there
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Here's a link to Jobst Brandt's book, which I find to be an invaluable reference.
https://www.scribd.com/doc/261771508...-Brandt-3rd-Ed
https://www.scribd.com/doc/261771508...-Brandt-3rd-Ed
Likes For Moe Zhoost:
#13
Senior Member
Best videos I ever saw were these ones by Ashley Malcolm of Brockley Bikes. They were the only ones that I actually followed when I disassembled and reassembled a spare wheel I had lying about. As far as tension goes, I think I may have been a little high, but the wheel was/is fine. Additional tips and learning came from Roger Musson's downloadable PDF.
#14
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 3,504
Bikes: 2001 Tommasini Sintesi w/ Campagnolo Daytona 10 Speed
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Best videos I ever saw were these ones by Ashley Malcolm of Brockley Bikes. They were the only ones that I actually followed when I disassembled and reassembled a spare wheel I had lying about. As far as tension goes, I think I may have been a little high, but the wheel was/is fine. Additional tips and learning came from Roger Musson's downloadable PDF.
Front Wheel Build
Rear Wheel Build
Front Wheel Build
Rear Wheel Build
2. He does the stretch thing in first video - risking tacoing the wheels - and I certainly hope he doesn't call that stress relieving because it isn't.
=8-(
__________________
5000+ wheels built since 1984...
Disclaimer:
1. I do not claim to be an expert in bicycle mechanics despite my experience.
2. I like anyone will comment in other areas.
3. I do not own the preexisting concepts of DISH and ERD.
4. I will provide information as I always have to others that I believe will help them protect themselves from unscrupulous mechanics.
5. My all time favorite book is:
Kahane, Howard. Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life
5000+ wheels built since 1984...
Disclaimer:
1. I do not claim to be an expert in bicycle mechanics despite my experience.
2. I like anyone will comment in other areas.
3. I do not own the preexisting concepts of DISH and ERD.
4. I will provide information as I always have to others that I believe will help them protect themselves from unscrupulous mechanics.
5. My all time favorite book is:
Kahane, Howard. Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life
#15
Senior Member
I preferred these videos as they weren't mind bogglingly boring or unintelligible for me to understand when I wanted to attempt to build a wheel. That's why I prefferred it to any other. As mentioned, stress relief and other tips not mentioned in the videos came from Roger Musson's PDF.
I don't build wheels everyday or every year for that matter, so it helped me learn. That's just my personal opinion.
#16
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Join Date: Feb 2004
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Dan's Comp will have the spokes that you need. They are cheap and fast and will sell you the exact number and length that you need. They will make you talk to their spoke guy over the telephone to order spokes.
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My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.