building wheels, i need advice or help

[Never Stop]

I hope i'm asking in the right place, please correct me if i'm not

Well i have been thinking a lot lately about building my own wheels or maybe getting my friendly lbs to help, or last resort, get them to do it, they would be for my dolan track frame, i'm thinking i could have a fix-fix hub which would come in handy, could paint the rims properly and maybe even a radial laced front wheel

dose any one think its worth doing or have any tips? because i don't have a clue about building wheels (i can do a lot of other stuff though, including truing wheels)


all help, advice and info is very welcome, thanks

 

[Johnsqual]

I recently had a go at wheelbuilding myself, and although it is confusing at first, it is very satisfying. I would think if you can already true wheels it would be easy to learn wheelbuilding.
Lacing the spokes is hard at first, but gets easier once you understand the principles. The article by Sheldon Brown below gives a fairly clear explanation of the whole process:

http://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

Johnny

 

[nammonk]

I also find it very satisfying and have never had any problems with my wheels (including radial lacing). However, if you have to buy all the components separately, it can be a pretty expensive option (good spokes aren't cheap and it helps to have a good building stand).

There are lots of good guides online and on old fashioned paper. There are, of course, different schools of thought about lacing patterns and spoke tensions, so you could start by reproducing something that you know has worked for you in the past.

If you're going to use them for anything extreme like track sprinting or Paris-Roubaix, I would consider getting them done by a specialist. If just for regular road use, I'd go for it. The satisfaction is like that you get from riding a bike you've built up and fettled yourself, but better.

Nick

 

[Jonny69]

It's a bit confusing for the first couple of wheels but after that you can do it without consulting a guide! I love building wheels because, like you say, you can use the rim and hub you wish to. You'll get a much truer wheel first time if you use new components. As soon as you start using used rims or spokes it becomes a little harder, but not impossible. I true all mine in a bike frame.

Stainless double-butted spokes are pretty cheap and good quality at Cycle Basket: http://www.cyclebasket.com/m9b0s454p0/C ... _-_Silver_

 

[nammonk]

Nice spoke link. I didn't know they could be had so cheap. Might go ahead with a project I've had in mind for a while then. Now I just need the time...
Nick

 

[Never Stop]

Thanks for the advice guys

well ill admit they will be on a brakeless fixed gear only ridden on the street for now and i will be skidding, so they need to be well built, which worry's me (don't worry, i rode fixed gear for about 2 years now with a front brake and never touch the brake, i got the money to build something decent so brakeless should be fine)

its likely i wont be able to buy the stuff until my next pay cheque anyway, so i have time to learn, so i thought it would be a good idea to take apart some spare wheels laying around in my shed and rebuild them again, so then i can get the hang of it

 

[nammonk]

^ = excellent idea. Take a quick photo of the lacing before dismantling so you know what you're aiming for. And get a feel for the spoke tension as well.

When dismantling, go round the wheel only loosening each spoke a little to start with. Do opposites as well (i.e. one next to valve, then one opposite valve, and then work round). This minimises any distortion to the rim as you unlace it. Watch out for any seized nipples if they're old wheels; bit of oil should loosen them if necessary. Apologies if patronising...

Nick

 

[nammonk]

ps

Oh, and start off with a front wheel --- equal tension on both sides, so easier. Dishing is easier as well if you haven't got a stand. You can check roughly that the rim is centred on the hub by looking down through the valve hole... The oil covers on Campag Record hubs are good for that.
I'll shut up now.
Nick

 

[gmac123]

member gil_m 's site has some good advice on the subject

http://www.thecycleshed.co.uk/

http://www.thecycleshed.co.uk/wheelbuilding.html

 

[Never Stop]

no need to shut up, i want as much info as i can get, i want to do it properly

i have a spare front 700c wheel that is in okay condition, ill give that a try