Wheelbuilding questions tips and ponderations

[Tootyred]

Ive suggested it before, but try Roger Mussons ebook. Its fantastic, plus it has the plans to build jigs, dishing tools etc all from scrap timber offcuts (or teak if you have that spare like i did ).

He goes right from basics onwards. With good diagrams. He also explains WHY your doing what your doing...a crucial point in learning anything imho. Anybody can build a wheel parrot fashion, blindly following instructions, but understanding what your doing is what gets you further up the evolutionary ladder . Plus, it helps with repairing and fixing apparently "knackered " wheels...I've lost count the number of good wheels I've been given because they are "no good..they keep coming loose" or "the buckle all the time". Fixing those requires a bit of understand of what's going on in the wheel wholesale...

Plus you get access to a very easy to use and intuitive spoke calculator he built.

I've built wheels for over 40 years now, for myself and professionally for shops I worked in....I got plenty from the book, so I would say its an interesting read for all levels.

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

 

[Tootyred]

I had a el-cheapo alluminium jig at home. There was so much flex and wobble in the bloody pile of rubbish, I threw it out. The home made one is far better imho.

 

[doctor-bond]

Ive suggested it before, but try Roger Mussons ebook. Its fantastic, plus it has the plans to build jigs, dishing tools etc all from scrap timber offcuts (or teak if you have that spare like i did ).

He goes right from basics onwards. With good diagrams. He also explains WHY your doing what your doing...a crucial point in learning anything imho. Anybody can build a wheel parrot fashion, blindly following instructions, but understanding what your doing is what gets you further up the evolutionary ladder .
https://www.wheelpro.co.uk/wheelbuilding/book.php

Will get this - again it’s the intersection of science and feel which is makes wheelbuilding compelling and makes it a massive rabbit hole. (I like Sheldon’s account of keeping an F# recording in the workshop so he could tune spoke tension by ear! ) I have left a few gift hints to family about Jobst Brandt’s “The Wheel” which is getting scarce and pricey, but am not holding my breath ….

 

[doctor-bond]

(A lot of wheelbuilders love tiny details - did you lube the nips with warm linseed oil?)

Ha! My goto is this “champagne”

 

[bikeworkshop]

Ha! My goto is this “champagne”

View attachment 911291

Applied warm or "shed temperature"?
This would affect the relationship between tightening torque and "Nut Factor"... yes really!
https://smartbolts.com/insights/the-nut-factor-problem

 

[Tootyred]

Jobst Brandt’s

I wouldn't bother with it...i have it here. Its ok, but its not really any great help building. Its a bit geeky and not altogether the most readable book. Most of the relevant stuff is covered by roger musson.

 

[bikeworkshop]

I wouldn't bother with it...i have it here. Its ok, but its not really any great help building. Its a bit geeky and not altogether the most readable book. Most of the relevant stuff is covered by roger musson.

2nd that opinion.
I had a copy of jobsts and gave it away pronto

 

[JoeH]

I wouldn't bother with it...i have it here. Its ok, but its not really any great help building. Its a bit geeky and not altogether the most readable book. Most of the relevant stuff is covered by roger musson.

I like Musson's book a lot.
But I still use Shraner's lacing method - as taught by cytech
& I like to use a tensiometer (which Musson doesn't)

 

[doctor-bond]

Strikes me that wheelbuilding is also a lot like cooking: a few unbreakable rules, lots of different recipes and flavours, some standout chefs, experience is everything, and when you get good at it, you know what works.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Strikes me that wheelbuilding is also a lot like cooking: a few unbreakable rules, lots of different recipes and flavours, some standout chefs, experience is everything, and when you get good at it, you know what works.

Some personalities prefer a Torque wrench and tension meter, and some don't