Russ498

I’m looking for recommendations for a good book on wheel building and maintenance. I don’t care if it covers all maintenance as long it has a comprehensive section on wheels. Many thanks

HillRider

The classic in the field is Jobst Brandt's "The Bicycle Wheel", first published in 1981. I believe it it out of print but easily available through used book sellers and Amazon.

This is a highly detailed and theoretical treatment of bicycle wheel design and function. Some of his claims are a bit controversial but still very thought provoking. There is a lot of practical, hands-on info also.

The book is obviously dated and, of course, says nothing about carbon rims and other material and design changes since it was written. Still, well worth the time.

Bill Kapaun

I started here-
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

I bought Brandt's book, but had trouble wrapping my brain around some parts.
OTH, I have mild Asperger's, but I thought that would help wrap my....

How do you define "maintenance"?
If you are talking hubs/bearings, just Google "bicycle hub maintenance".
It's not the same as "wheel building".

Rick

I have never used anything other than the few pages dedicated to wheel building in Effective Cycling.

Jon T

Plus one on Brandt's book. Also, Sheldon Browne has an excellent how-to at his site. I just rebuilt my rear wheel after 30-plus years. Couldn't find my copy of the book but the on-line info from Browne got me through it with flying colors!
Jon

mixteup

This is the book I learned (and am still learning) from - Most excellent, for a $12 download :

https://www.wheelpro.co.uk/wheelbuilding/book.php

Musson's book covers everything, in an easily understood fashion - I actually printed it out, and keep it in a ring binder on my workbench

fietsbob

On my bookshelf is "building bicycle wheels" by Robert Wright, copyright 1977, cost: $ 1.95 BITD..

Moe Zhoost

My copy of Jobst's book is well worn. I refer to it on all of my wheel builds. I recommend it highly.

ted_major

+1 on Musson’s book. I have both it and Jobst Brandt’s, and I found Musson’s more useful as a stepwise set of instructions for how to build a set of wheels. They’re both good books and complement each other, but if I had to pick only one to learn how to build wheels, it would be the Musson’s book.

co_rouleur

I went one step further and got an instructional DVD that takes you step by step through the entire process of building a 3 cross rear wheel for a road bike from scratch. It also has information for variations like building for disc brakes or 2x spoke patterns, how to measure for ordering spokes, what tools you need and how to use them etc. The cost was small considering the skills you can learn from a Master Wheel Builder. I have since built several wheels very successfully and have greatly improved my truing skills along the way. Google 'billmouldwheels', if you cant find where to order the DVD, just email him. He has always been happy to answer any questions.

holytrousers

it's called life, can't recommend it highly enough
I've read three books about wheel building, begin with robert wright's as an easy intro, then read jobst brandts' for some theory and musson's for detailed and well explained instructions.
The best advice you will find however is in these forums' brains

veganbikes

I have it on my Smart Cellular Telephone, it is freakin' great and cool to see some of the older tech. I would love a physical copy signed by old Gerdy himself but like you not going to pay money when I have it free on my phone with a few minor errors that are easy enough to correct for when reading (unless maybe you have a different ability that would cause reading issues)

cpach

Brandt's book is pretty excellent. For individual topics, I really like some of the blog posts on https://www.wheelfanatyk.com/blog/ .

79pmooney

"Building Bicycle Wheels" is an excellent book for one's first wheel. Robert Wright uses plain English, simple terms and does a good job of demystifying wheelbuilding. He is as straightforward in real life. Also an excellent wheelbuilder. (I say this in present tense. I knew him 40 years ago. He doesn't blow his own horn. I knew from others he built good wheels. Had no idea he'd published a book two years before.)

Bike Gremlin

Exactly my thoughts.
Mussons to learn what to do and how, Brandt's book to learn/understand why it's done that way.

WizardOfBoz

Another vote for Musson's book, "Professional Guide to Wheelbuilding". I laid out the dough to buy a legit version of this. More modern than Jobst. Explains some things Jobst doesn't.

Jobst's book is also excellent. I had a hard copy and I think I lent it to my stepfather and he passed away so I can't find my copy.

Schraner's book "The Art of Wheelbuilding" is also very good. A bit idiosyncratic and counter to some modern wheelbuilding thought, though. Still (in 1999) he recommended tying and soldering on some wheels. Even for track bikes I think that this is now a discredited practice.

I do expect that the Secret Guild of Exalted Spoke Solderers to rise up en masse and will converge on my house with torches made from extra-long seat posts to visit their wrath upon me and my heathen untied spokes. Sigh.

Any of these books will teach you a lot. I'd start with Musson. A second (or alternate first) choice would be Jobst. Schraner's book is useful once you have the first two books under your belt. My 2 cents.

HillRider

When they arrive you can send them to my house too. In 1981 Brandt's book reported his measurements of tied and soldered wheels showed no significant change in tangential or lateral stability from untied spokes and he pretty much said it was a waste of time.

davidad

J have both the Brandt and Schraener books. I like the spoking method in Gerd's book. For hub maintenance you can use Park's site or the manufacturers.

Wee man1

Thanks for some good suggestions will book a few via the library.