Re: [RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Den John]

If you don't want to cough up for a book, I found the Barnett Manual 
section on wheel building excellent. The system for spoke lacing is really 
clear and
systematic. I've probably built 10 or so sets of wheels, and with the BM I 
never got into trouble with lacing up. You should be able to find a pdf of 
an old edition
of the BM online.

I have a cheapish truing stand and dish stick that have lasted me nearly 10 
years. A worthwhile investment IMO. You can bodge along with homemade tools 
but
I found as a beginner that it's less frustrating with the proper tools. 

Johnny in Belgium

On Friday, 5 March 2021 at 19:07:09 UTC+1 Mike Godwin wrote:

> Yep, build your own. I'm somewhere north of 100 wheel builds (not pairs), 
> for friends and family, and self. I've used Brandt's method and over time 
> picked up a truing stand, tension meter (both Park), and dishing tool 
> (Minoura). My first wheels were done using the bike for a truing stand, and 
> like others here, changing rims and just tensioning pre-built wheels. It is 
> relaxing, a way to catch up on long neglected albums or CDs, and its 
> rewarding to ride the wheels you built for thousands of miles.
>
> Mike SLO CA 
>
> On Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 3:50:35 PM UTC-8 RichS wrote:
>
>> It is indeed Jim Langley. Agree with Garth on how well the information is 
>> presented.
>>
>> Best,
>> Rich in ATL
>> (Building a set of wheels right now)
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Mar 4, 2021, at 11:50 AM, Pancake  wrote:
>>
>> Is this the video you were referring to? 
>>
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUqul03hbZ8
>> Jim Langley (not Land)?
>>
>> On Monday, 19 October 2020 at 10:48:25 UTC-7 Garth wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>  You'll be alright Steven. The difference to me between wheels built 
>>> by me and wheels built by a dedicated professional is theirs are within 
>>> tighter tolerances and they don't ever need touched, at least mine haven't 
>>> and I have a 20 year old pair from Joe Young. They also do it much quicker 
>>> of course. 
>>>
>>>Jim Land on youtube has the best video of building/truing wheels I've 
>>> seen, his way is presentation is very easy going and more intuitive than 
>>> all the books that I once read, and hated. 
>>>
>>> "Just one more book Alice ... and POW .. right in the kisser !" 
>>>
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>>  
>> 
>> .
>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Mike Godwin]

Yep, build your own. I'm somewhere north of 100 wheel builds (not pairs), 
for friends and family, and self. I've used Brandt's method and over time 
picked up a truing stand, tension meter (both Park), and dishing tool 
(Minoura). My first wheels were done using the bike for a truing stand, and 
like others here, changing rims and just tensioning pre-built wheels. It is 
relaxing, a way to catch up on long neglected albums or CDs, and its 
rewarding to ride the wheels you built for thousands of miles.

Mike SLO CA 

On Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 3:50:35 PM UTC-8 RichS wrote:

> It is indeed Jim Langley. Agree with Garth on how well the information is 
> presented.
>
> Best,
> Rich in ATL
> (Building a set of wheels right now)
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Mar 4, 2021, at 11:50 AM, Pancake  wrote:
>
> Is this the video you were referring to? 
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUqul03hbZ8
> Jim Langley (not Land)?
>
> On Monday, 19 October 2020 at 10:48:25 UTC-7 Garth wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>
>>  You'll be alright Steven. The difference to me between wheels built 
>> by me and wheels built by a dedicated professional is theirs are within 
>> tighter tolerances and they don't ever need touched, at least mine haven't 
>> and I have a 20 year old pair from Joe Young. They also do it much quicker 
>> of course. 
>>
>>Jim Land on youtube has the best video of building/truing wheels I've 
>> seen, his way is presentation is very easy going and more intuitive than 
>> all the books that I once read, and hated. 
>>
>> "Just one more book Alice ... and POW .. right in the kisser !" 
>>
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>  
> 
> .
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[R Shannon]

It is indeed Jim Langley. Agree with Garth on how well the information is 
presented.

Best,
Rich in ATL
(Building a set of wheels right now)

Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 4, 2021, at 11:50 AM, Pancake  wrote:
> 
> Is this the video you were referring to? 
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUqul03hbZ8
> Jim Langley (not Land)?
> 
>> On Monday, 19 October 2020 at 10:48:25 UTC-7 Garth wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>  You'll be alright Steven. The difference to me between wheels built by 
>> me and wheels built by a dedicated professional is theirs are within tighter 
>> tolerances and they don't ever need touched, at least mine haven't and I 
>> have a 20 year old pair from Joe Young. They also do it much quicker of 
>> course. 
>> 
>>Jim Land on youtube has the best video of building/truing wheels I've 
>> seen, his way is presentation is very easy going and more intuitive than all 
>> the books that I once read, and hated. 
>> 
>> "Just one more book Alice ... and POW .. right in the kisser !" 
> 
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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Pancake]

Is this the video you were referring to? 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUqul03hbZ8
Jim Langley (not Land)?

On Monday, 19 October 2020 at 10:48:25 UTC-7 Garth wrote:

>
>
>
>  You'll be alright Steven. The difference to me between wheels built 
> by me and wheels built by a dedicated professional is theirs are within 
> tighter tolerances and they don't ever need touched, at least mine haven't 
> and I have a 20 year old pair from Joe Young. They also do it much quicker 
> of course. 
>
>Jim Land on youtube has the best video of building/truing wheels I've 
> seen, his way is presentation is very easy going and more intuitive than 
> all the books that I once read, and hated. 
>
> "Just one more book Alice ... and POW .. right in the kisser !" 
>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Chris in NZ]

Absolutely build your own wheels. I was sceptical a few years ago but was 
encouraged by a workmate to do it. Now have several sets with 1000s of 
kilometres on them.
I highly recommend Roger Musson’s ebook on wheel building. Includes guides 
on making your own tools and excellent building instructions. A piece of 
cardboard from a frame box and wooden skewer make a fine dish tool!

On Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 4:25:58 AM UTC+13 Steven Seelig wrote:

> So with COVID and all, I've decided that now is the time to do stuff that 
> I haven't ever done before.  Learning to speak French is perhaps a bridge 
> too far - not so good at language.  But it seems reasonable to think that I 
> can at least build a front wheel with a Dyno hub to put on the Sam I ride 
> in the means streets of DC and on some gravel.  
>
> I have a truing stand but not a dishing tool.  I would say I am a 
> competent wrencher.  Of course anyone who has built up a wheel did it once 
> for the first time.  Is this something I should take on?  What are the odds 
> for success?  Will I quit in frustration?
>
> Points of view encouraged.
>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Mike Godwin]

I love reading this thread. Its great. My first wheelbuild was for my 
dirtbike, going from an 18 inch to 21 inch front wheel. Rode the heck out 
of it. IIRC cross 2, MC shop calculated the spoke length, stock drum brake 
hub laced to an Akront rim. I think I was 14 or 15 at the time. About 15 
yrs later a coworker  wanted as quick and dirty as possible wheel build. I 
re-used spokes from a CA (cheap ass) bike and steel rims. Using Jobst 
Brandt's book for instruction, the wheel turned out fine but as another 
poster mentioned, the starting position was off by one spoke hole so the 
spokes were not parallel at the valve but crossing above it. My second 
wheel turned out with the spokes parallel at the valve stem, but like 
others, every fourth spoke was off. My 9 month old daughter was helping me 
at the time.  Many moons later and and close to 100 wheelsets, I keep 
riding. I always think about my wheel building capabilities when zooming 
down a hill at 35-40 mph (I hit close to 50 mph on my San Andreas Fault 
tour) and ... I am writing this email.  I think you would have to totally 
F-U the wheel for it to be hazardous. You will probably know there is a 
problem before it catastrophically flies apart.  Hey, the spoke-rim system 
has been around for centuries. What could go wrong? (ben hur chariot race)  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9=frE9rXnaHpE

Mike SLO CA


On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 8:25:58 AM UTC-7, Steven Seelig wrote:
>
> So with COVID and all, I've decided that now is the time to do stuff that 
> I haven't ever done before.  Learning to speak French is perhaps a bridge 
> too far - not so good at language.  But it seems reasonable to think that I 
> can at least build a front wheel with a Dyno hub to put on the Sam I ride 
> in the means streets of DC and on some gravel.  
>
> I have a truing stand but not a dishing tool.  I would say I am a 
> competent wrencher.  Of course anyone who has built up a wheel did it once 
> for the first time.  Is this something I should take on?  What are the odds 
> for success?  Will I quit in frustration?
>
> Points of view encouraged.
>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[lconley]

Another great thing about building your own wheels is that you can build 
with used parts. I have developed quite a stash of used spokes and nipples 
and rims, less so with hubs - I usually have a purpose with the hubs, which 
is what results in the leftover rims, etc. I had a set of Peter White 
wheels that I have had for 9 years, still perfect, but the 48 spoke SON 
dyno front hub was perfect for my Riv cargo Bike and the Phil 48 spoke rear 
hub was perfect for the Gus Boots Wilsen, so they got disassembled and 
build onto wheels with much, much wider rims. My rims and tires are 
definitely getting wider as I get older.
The current wheel building challenge is some 28" (635) roadster rims (28H 
front, 40H rear) on a Flying Pigeon with some drum brake hubs instead of 
the rod brakes, I had a local wheel builder build them years ago, but they 
have never been correct (even the builder said so) - will not true up well. 
The brake side is a huge flange and the non-brake side is tiny. It appears 
that the correct way to build these is to mix cross patterns on different 
sides of the hubs instead of 3X on both sides. Note that newer Sturmey 
Archer drum brake hubs (Pashley Guv'nor) have large flanges on the 
non-brake side to avoid this dilemma.

Laing
Delray Beach FL

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[masmojo]

>
> I heartily encourage all wheel building efforts; I've built over 30 wheels 
> and when it comes to bike builds now I just assume I'll be building wheels! 
>
I was just working on a wheel this evening and I thought there's like a 
hundred pointers I could give you, but it's all a bit much for me to jot 
down logically in a post and for you to remember as well, BUT here's a 
couple :

It's sort of like cutting wood, measure twice (maybe 3 times) and order 
spokes once
It can be a little hit or miss sometimes, because unless you have 
specialized measuring tools a MM here & a MM there can all sort of add up 
and before you know it, your spokes are 2mm too long (URGH!), if this 
happens don't freak out, give yourself a break, stash those away for 
another day and get some new ones! It happens even to the best builders, 
(although less the more experienced you get)
When you start, lace the spokes that go from the insides of the flanges 
FIRST; then the ones that exit the outside of the flanges last; trust me 
this will save you a ton of work!!!  and don't forget to cross the last 
spoke over the third spoke it crosses. (for a 3X)

Some pro touches?
Align the logo on the hub so that it faces the valve hole (not important 
just one of those things experienced wheel builders do)
Different colored nipples or even spokes on either side of the valve hole. 
(I frequently do this with nipples, but only once with the spokes 
themselves; most people don't have any extras lying around that the can sub 
in; it's byproduct of having built a fair number of wheels. :-)
Depending on what stand you are using you shouldn't need a dishing tool; I 
haven't used one in 39 years! My park stand centers the wheel and the rim 
so the wheel just comes out dished.

Have fun

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Re: [RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Toshi Takeuchi]

Yes! Rich is my hero and he builds all my wheels now, but back in the day I
read Jobst Brandt and built 2 wheelsets and an additional front dyno
wheel.  Hard to go wrong with a front wheel, so I say definitely go for it.
I went to my LBS and asked them to use their spoke calculator and they
bought me my spokes for the build.

Toshi in Oakland


On Wed, Oct 21, 2020 at 3:26 PM John A. Bennett  wrote:

> As long as Rich Lesnik walks the earth, I will not build my own wheels.
>
> John in Portland, Ore.
>
> On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 8:25:58 AM UTC-7 Steven Seelig wrote:
>
>> So with COVID and all, I've decided that now is the time to do stuff that
>> I haven't ever done before.  Learning to speak French is perhaps a bridge
>> too far - not so good at language.  But it seems reasonable to think that I
>> can at least build a front wheel with a Dyno hub to put on the Sam I ride
>> in the means streets of DC and on some gravel.
>>
>> I have a truing stand but not a dishing tool.  I would say I am a
>> competent wrencher.  Of course anyone who has built up a wheel did it once
>> for the first time.  Is this something I should take on?  What are the odds
>> for success?  Will I quit in frustration?
>>
>> Points of view encouraged.
>>
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> 
> .
>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[John A. Bennett]

As long as Rich Lesnik walks the earth, I will not build my own wheels. 

John in Portland, Ore. 

On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 8:25:58 AM UTC-7 Steven Seelig wrote:

> So with COVID and all, I've decided that now is the time to do stuff that 
> I haven't ever done before.  Learning to speak French is perhaps a bridge 
> too far - not so good at language.  But it seems reasonable to think that I 
> can at least build a front wheel with a Dyno hub to put on the Sam I ride 
> in the means streets of DC and on some gravel.  
>
> I have a truing stand but not a dishing tool.  I would say I am a 
> competent wrencher.  Of course anyone who has built up a wheel did it once 
> for the first time.  Is this something I should take on?  What are the odds 
> for success?  Will I quit in frustration?
>
> Points of view encouraged.
>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[RichS]

Was not aware of the Jim Langley wheel building tutorial. Looks good. Garth 
and Paul, thank you for that reference. My go to support has reliably come 
from Jobst's and Sheldon's direction.
Will soon be embarking on a new 650b wheel build so the Langley video looks 
like a useful addition to my library.

Steven, one more plug for trying out a wheel build!

Best,
Rich in ATL

On Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 12:44:25 PM UTC-4 Drew Saunders wrote:

> Many years ago, I decided to try my hand at building my own wheels. Armed 
> with a copy of Jobst Brandt's "The Bicycle Wheel," rims and spokes from 
> Wheelsmith, I did manage to make a build a pair of wheels. The front was OK 
> (until I crashed and bent it beyond repair), the rear wasn't a very usable 
> wheel. I learned two things from my experience:
>
> 1: I will happily pay a professional to build my wheels. 
>
> 2: How to better true and maintain my wheels, which has been invaluable 
> knowledge.
>
> When I picked up a pair of clearance wheels from Supergo, armed with my 
> knowledge of how incomplete machine-build wheels are, I followed the final 
> tensioning (heavy gloves, lots of squeezing and flattening etc.) and truing 
> instructions from Jobst's book and turned cheap off-the-rack wheels into 
> quite good ones. They lasted for many years until a spoke pulled through 
> the rear rim, and the front would still be going strong if I hadn't bought 
> a Velocity-built pair from Riv to replace them. 
>
> Go for it, at the very least, you'll have a better appreciation for what 
> goes into building wheels, whether they're well built or poorly built.
>
> Drew
>
> On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 8:25:58 AM UTC-7 Steven Seelig wrote:
>
>> So with COVID and all, I've decided that now is the time to do stuff that 
>> I haven't ever done before.  Learning to speak French is perhaps a bridge 
>> too far - not so good at language.  But it seems reasonable to think that I 
>> can at least build a front wheel with a Dyno hub to put on the Sam I ride 
>> in the means streets of DC and on some gravel.  
>>
>> I have a truing stand but not a dishing tool.  I would say I am a 
>> competent wrencher.  Of course anyone who has built up a wheel did it once 
>> for the first time.  Is this something I should take on?  What are the odds 
>> for success?  Will I quit in frustration?
>>
>> Points of view encouraged.
>>
>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Drew Saunders]

Many years ago, I decided to try my hand at building my own wheels. Armed 
with a copy of Jobst Brandt's "The Bicycle Wheel," rims and spokes from 
Wheelsmith, I did manage to make a build a pair of wheels. The front was OK 
(until I crashed and bent it beyond repair), the rear wasn't a very usable 
wheel. I learned two things from my experience:

1: I will happily pay a professional to build my wheels. 

2: How to better true and maintain my wheels, which has been invaluable 
knowledge.

When I picked up a pair of clearance wheels from Supergo, armed with my 
knowledge of how incomplete machine-build wheels are, I followed the final 
tensioning (heavy gloves, lots of squeezing and flattening etc.) and truing 
instructions from Jobst's book and turned cheap off-the-rack wheels into 
quite good ones. They lasted for many years until a spoke pulled through 
the rear rim, and the front would still be going strong if I hadn't bought 
a Velocity-built pair from Riv to replace them. 

Go for it, at the very least, you'll have a better appreciation for what 
goes into building wheels, whether they're well built or poorly built.

Drew

On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 8:25:58 AM UTC-7 Steven Seelig wrote:

> So with COVID and all, I've decided that now is the time to do stuff that 
> I haven't ever done before.  Learning to speak French is perhaps a bridge 
> too far - not so good at language.  But it seems reasonable to think that I 
> can at least build a front wheel with a Dyno hub to put on the Sam I ride 
> in the means streets of DC and on some gravel.  
>
> I have a truing stand but not a dishing tool.  I would say I am a 
> competent wrencher.  Of course anyone who has built up a wheel did it once 
> for the first time.  Is this something I should take on?  What are the odds 
> for success?  Will I quit in frustration?
>
> Points of view encouraged.
>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Garth]

Oh my yes Paul !   It was my error  one of those deals where the hands 
don't quite follow the image of mind !  

I like his easy going manner and such. 


On Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 9:18:56 AM UTC-4, Paul in Dallas wrote:
>
> Garth, did you mean Jim Langley for the YouTube wheel building video and 
> perhaps auto correct screwed ut up?
>
> I could not find a Jim Land wheel building video but found this Jim 
> Langley one.
>
> https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XUqul03hbZ8
>
>
> ...
>
>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[tuolumne bikes]

Steven, the list members seem to have a hard time following instructions. 
Don't build your own wheels.

I have built two sets of wheels using the bikes as truing stands with blue 
masking tape across the seat stays/fork as a guide. Make sharpie marks on 
the tape as needed, and flip the wheels. I also used YouTube, an online 
spoke length calculator, a Phillips bit with one set of the fins ground 
off, a cordless drill, and a spoke wrench. Any competent professional could 
tell you my wheels suck, and building would certainly go faster with better 
tools and training. I've used them for five years without problems beyond 
the occasional truing that all wheels need. If you're planning on extended 
touring, have more money than time and aptitude, or are a bike abuser have 
a pro make some bombproof wheels.

Carl

 
On Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 6:18:56 AM UTC-7 Paul in Dallas wrote:

> Garth, did you mean Jim Langley for the YouTube wheel building video and 
> perhaps auto correct screwed ut up?
>
> I could not find a Jim Land wheel building video but found this Jim 
> Langley one.
>
> https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XUqul03hbZ8
>
>
> ...
> Garth wrote,
> " Jim Land on youtube has the best video of building/truing wheels I've 
> seen, his way is presentation is very easy going and more intuitive than 
> all the books that I once read, and hated."
> ..
>
> Thanks for this thread and all who contributed. 
> I'm another who has been on the fence about giving it a try. Perhaps this 
> will get me motivated as well.
>
> Paul in Dallas 
>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[R. Alexis]

Steven,

Go for it!

I have built, rebuilt and trued up and redished many a wheel. Built my 
first wheelset using Wilderness Trail Bikes Classic Grease Guard freewheel 
hubs with Mavic 217, 26" rims for my 1991 Bridgestone MB-0(Zip) frameset. I 
worked at a bike shop at the time so I had The Bicycle Wheel book, 
Wheelsmith spoke calculator, Phil Wood spoke cutter, truing stand, dishing 
took and wrenches available along with the shop manager, who was a well 
accomplished wheel builder. I built the wheel at the shop when I had time. 

Since that time I have built several wheels along with several rim and one 
hub transplant. I am meticulous. I got my own Park truing stand, dishing 
tool, ended up purchasing the Wheelsmith spoke calculator set and Phil Wood 
spoke cutter, that I sold. Also bought The Bicycle Wheel book and read it 
from cover to cover. 

All the wheels that I have built seem to hold up. The rim transplant ones 
have ended up on bikes I sold. They seem to be working well. The hub 
transplant was a 36 hole SunTour Superbe Pro freewheel that replaced a 
Suntour XC-Comp cassette hub on a Araya VX-400(?) . The dimensions on the 
hubs were close and I spaced the freewheel hub to 132.5mm OLD to offer 
versatility,  

Currently I have one wheelset to build and two others I plan on replacing 
the alloy nipples with brass. Will probably get around to that this fall or 
winter. 

Hope this helps.

Reginald Alexis

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Justin]

Just poking in to say that this is a great post. I've been wanting to build 
my first wheelset for a couple of years, and after trying to save a buck 
buying two 2nd hand wheelsets from the Owners Bunch, both of which had 
issues right from the start I done with that mess. I just need to breakdown 
and start building. So thanks everyone for chiming in with envouragement 
and your experience. 

On Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 12:04:55 AM UTC-4 Daniel M wrote:

> Piling on in favor of your building your own wheel. I bought Jobst 
> Brandt's book and read it cover to cover twice before building my own 
> wheel. The first half of the book is theory, the second is practice. You 
> could easily skip straight to the instructions, and if you follow them 
> carefully you will end up with a properly laced and tensioned wheel. Only 
> drawback is that Jobst doesn't reply to email anymore...
>
> I've now built six wheels: 2 dyno, 3 Rohloff, and one fixed, so nothing 
> with extreme dish. I have beaten the first four of those to hell off road, 
> touring, and off-road touring. It's been a great experience. I did buy a 
> used truing stand, dishing tool, tensiometer and spoke wrenches from a 
> mechanic before I started, but I could just as easily do it in the frame of 
> a bike with a guitar pick. Anything you build carefully is likely to be 
> better than a factory-built wheel that hasn't been touched up by a 
> professional, which people buy and ride all the time.
>
> You won't regret it!
>
> Daniel M
> Berkeley, CA
>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Daniel M]

Piling on in favor of your building your own wheel. I bought Jobst Brandt's 
book and read it cover to cover twice before building my own wheel. The first 
half of the book is theory, the second is practice. You could easily skip 
straight to the instructions, and if you follow them carefully you will end up 
with a properly laced and tensioned wheel. Only drawback is that Jobst doesn't 
reply to email anymore...

I've now built six wheels: 2 dyno, 3 Rohloff, and one fixed, so nothing with 
extreme dish. I have beaten the first four of those to hell off road, touring, 
and off-road touring. It's been a great experience. I did buy a used truing 
stand, dishing tool, tensiometer and spoke wrenches from a mechanic before I 
started, but I could just as easily do it in the frame of a bike with a guitar 
pick. Anything you build carefully is likely to be better than a factory-built 
wheel that hasn't been touched up by a professional, which people buy and ride 
all the time.

You won't regret it!

Daniel M
Berkeley, CA

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Nick Payne]

It's not that difficult, and the only tool you need to try it is a spoke 
key. I've been building my own wheels for more than 40 years, and for or 
the first 20 of those years, I didn't bother with a truing stand or a 
tensiometer - I built the wheels in the frame, using a piece of card taped 
across the fork legs / seat stays to get correct dish and to true the wheel 
laterally and radially.

Nick

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[ascpgh]

If you have the desire and time necessary to familiarize yourself with the 
process, determine the correct parts, materials and a quality nipple 
wrench. Go for it. Missteps will be taken as lessons rather than waste. If 
not that committed, it can be a frustration.

I built many of my own wheels and careful reading of a book (+1 on Eric's 
vote for Brandt's book) or viewing YouTube for instruction. Every set of 
wheels reiterated  the value of taking care in the selection of parts, 
preparations and process of assembly. It took a a wheel or two to nail it 
top to bottom. Never unrecoverable just things that affected how long 
before touch ups were needed. Overall, very rewarding, if you are realistic 
about the effort and time the first one will take. Not everyone's thing. 

In the years since not being at the bench it's harder to keep up with all 
the parts and the reports on their use. An active wheel builder has 
experience-based insight regarding that industry side, like how flat and 
round are certain brands' rims before lacing up. When I started my parts 
pile for my new bike I had to make the grown up decision that my bandwidth 
was full and to have a builder recommend rims and spokes to go with my hub 
choices, weight, bike format and intended load use. Having the ability to 
say "been there, done that", it was money well spent in my situation. 

Andy Cheatham
Pittsburgh


On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 11:25:58 AM UTC-4 Steven Seelig wrote:

> So with COVID and all, I've decided that now is the time to do stuff that 
> I haven't ever done before.  Learning to speak French is perhaps a bridge 
> too far - not so good at language.  But it seems reasonable to think that I 
> can at least build a front wheel with a Dyno hub to put on the Sam I ride 
> in the means streets of DC and on some gravel.  
>
> I have a truing stand but not a dishing tool.  I would say I am a 
> competent wrencher.  Of course anyone who has built up a wheel did it once 
> for the first time.  Is this something I should take on?  What are the odds 
> for success?  Will I quit in frustration?
>
> Points of view encouraged.
>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Todd G.]

Absolutely worth the money. You can easily thread the nipple on a few 
threads with this thing and pretty much eliminate the chance of having to 
fish a nipple out of your rim. Sometimes they come out easy, other times no 
so much.
On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 1:37:53 PM UTC-7 lconley wrote:

> This reminded me - the EVT (Efficient Velo Tools) Mulfinger Nipple Loading 
> Tool - best $13 I ever spent. Sure beats those wooden toothpicks that I had 
> been using.
>
> Laing
>
>
> On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 4:31:49 PM UTC-4, Todd G. wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> So I’m probably beating the proverbial “dead horse” here, but I don’t 
>> think there is a more valuable skill for one to have than to have the 
>> ability to build and maintain your own wheels. Once you do it few times, it 
>> really starts to make sense. You will begin to see, understand and 
>> recognize all of the subtle, and not so subtle nuances of the art of wheel 
>> building. I really really enjoy it, and at times it really gets me to an 
>> almost meditative state.
>>
>> Invest in the tools you will need. Don’t buy cheap tools either. Stick to 
>> Park, EVT (Efficient Velo Tools), Abbey etc, and you will not be sorry.
>>
>> Enjoy the building process!
>> On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 1:14:48 PM UTC-7 Cyclofiend Jim wrote:
>>
>>> Wheel building is deeply empowering. 
>>>
>>> First one I did was a simple swap to a new rim - AASHTA. 
>>> (TL;DR = tape the rims together so the holes match and "walk" the hub 
>>> over one spoke set at a time. That kind of demystified the crossing and 
>>> such). 
>>>
>>> First time full-from-scratch build went pretty well - with copious 
>>> reading of Sheldon's writings and the Jobst book. Take breaks when you feel 
>>> the operator tension exceed the spoke tension. 
>>>
>>> I'd say a truing stand is a must-have, as is a good quality spoke 
>>> wrench. Dishing tool... not so much - certainly not a deal breaker as the 
>>> purpose is to keep the rim centered, which you can easily check with a flip.
>>>
>>> - Jim
>>>
>>>
>>> On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 8:25:58 AM UTC-7, Steven Seelig wrote:

 So with COVID and all, I've decided that now is the time to do stuff 
 that I haven't ever done before.  Learning to speak French is perhaps a 
 bridge too far - not so good at language.  But it seems reasonable to 
 think 
 that I can at least build a front wheel with a Dyno hub to put on the Sam 
 I 
 ride in the means streets of DC and on some gravel.  

 I have a truing stand but not a dishing tool.  I would say I am a 
 competent wrencher.  Of course anyone who has built up a wheel did it once 
 for the first time.  Is this something I should take on?  What are the 
 odds 
 for success?  Will I quit in frustration?

 Points of view encouraged.

>>>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Teague Scott]

The wheel building section in the "library" on the Wheel Fanatyk site 
provides lots of excellent tips:
https://www.wheelfanatyk.com/wheelbuilding-library/

I built my most recent set of wheels after cogitating over many of the tips 
and guidelines laid out there and I'm happy as could be.

I did most of the work in the frame of the bike they were for. Once they 
were pretty much there I used a truing stand and tensiometer for the final 
twists of the wrench. If you have a decent ear you can tension to pitch! I 
almost got it!

- Teague in Boise

On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 2:37:53 PM UTC-6 lconley wrote:

> This reminded me - the EVT (Efficient Velo Tools) Mulfinger Nipple Loading 
> Tool - best $13 I ever spent. Sure beats those wooden toothpicks that I had 
> been using.
>
> Laing
>
>
> On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 4:31:49 PM UTC-4, Todd G. wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> So I’m probably beating the proverbial “dead horse” here, but I don’t 
>> think there is a more valuable skill for one to have than to have the 
>> ability to build and maintain your own wheels. Once you do it few times, it 
>> really starts to make sense. You will begin to see, understand and 
>> recognize all of the subtle, and not so subtle nuances of the art of wheel 
>> building. I really really enjoy it, and at times it really gets me to an 
>> almost meditative state.
>>
>> Invest in the tools you will need. Don’t buy cheap tools either. Stick to 
>> Park, EVT (Efficient Velo Tools), Abbey etc, and you will not be sorry.
>>
>> Enjoy the building process!
>> On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 1:14:48 PM UTC-7 Cyclofiend Jim wrote:
>>
>>> Wheel building is deeply empowering. 
>>>
>>> First one I did was a simple swap to a new rim - AASHTA. 
>>> (TL;DR = tape the rims together so the holes match and "walk" the hub 
>>> over one spoke set at a time. That kind of demystified the crossing and 
>>> such). 
>>>
>>> First time full-from-scratch build went pretty well - with copious 
>>> reading of Sheldon's writings and the Jobst book. Take breaks when you feel 
>>> the operator tension exceed the spoke tension. 
>>>
>>> I'd say a truing stand is a must-have, as is a good quality spoke 
>>> wrench. Dishing tool... not so much - certainly not a deal breaker as the 
>>> purpose is to keep the rim centered, which you can easily check with a flip.
>>>
>>> - Jim
>>>
>>>
>>> On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 8:25:58 AM UTC-7, Steven Seelig wrote:

 So with COVID and all, I've decided that now is the time to do stuff 
 that I haven't ever done before.  Learning to speak French is perhaps a 
 bridge too far - not so good at language.  But it seems reasonable to 
 think 
 that I can at least build a front wheel with a Dyno hub to put on the Sam 
 I 
 ride in the means streets of DC and on some gravel.  

 I have a truing stand but not a dishing tool.  I would say I am a 
 competent wrencher.  Of course anyone who has built up a wheel did it once 
 for the first time.  Is this something I should take on?  What are the 
 odds 
 for success?  Will I quit in frustration?

 Points of view encouraged.

>>>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[lconley]

This reminded me - the EVT (Efficient Velo Tools) Mulfinger Nipple Loading 
Tool - best $13 I ever spent. Sure beats those wooden toothpicks that I had 
been using.

Laing


On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 4:31:49 PM UTC-4, Todd G. wrote:
>
>
>
> So I’m probably beating the proverbial “dead horse” here, but I don’t 
> think there is a more valuable skill for one to have than to have the 
> ability to build and maintain your own wheels. Once you do it few times, it 
> really starts to make sense. You will begin to see, understand and 
> recognize all of the subtle, and not so subtle nuances of the art of wheel 
> building. I really really enjoy it, and at times it really gets me to an 
> almost meditative state.
>
> Invest in the tools you will need. Don’t buy cheap tools either. Stick to 
> Park, EVT (Efficient Velo Tools), Abbey etc, and you will not be sorry.
>
> Enjoy the building process!
> On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 1:14:48 PM UTC-7 Cyclofiend Jim wrote:
>
>> Wheel building is deeply empowering. 
>>
>> First one I did was a simple swap to a new rim - AASHTA. 
>> (TL;DR = tape the rims together so the holes match and "walk" the hub 
>> over one spoke set at a time. That kind of demystified the crossing and 
>> such). 
>>
>> First time full-from-scratch build went pretty well - with copious 
>> reading of Sheldon's writings and the Jobst book. Take breaks when you feel 
>> the operator tension exceed the spoke tension. 
>>
>> I'd say a truing stand is a must-have, as is a good quality spoke wrench. 
>> Dishing tool... not so much - certainly not a deal breaker as the purpose 
>> is to keep the rim centered, which you can easily check with a flip.
>>
>> - Jim
>>
>>
>> On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 8:25:58 AM UTC-7, Steven Seelig wrote:
>>>
>>> So with COVID and all, I've decided that now is the time to do stuff 
>>> that I haven't ever done before.  Learning to speak French is perhaps a 
>>> bridge too far - not so good at language.  But it seems reasonable to think 
>>> that I can at least build a front wheel with a Dyno hub to put on the Sam I 
>>> ride in the means streets of DC and on some gravel.  
>>>
>>> I have a truing stand but not a dishing tool.  I would say I am a 
>>> competent wrencher.  Of course anyone who has built up a wheel did it once 
>>> for the first time.  Is this something I should take on?  What are the odds 
>>> for success?  Will I quit in frustration?
>>>
>>> Points of view encouraged.
>>>
>>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Ed Carolipio]

No, we're not going to talk you out of building your own wheels. :)

One hint I haven't seen is, if you haven't done it before, re-tension an 
existing wheel for practice. Best done for machine built wheels since that 
exercise makes them a bit stronger so there's some utility that comes out 
of the work. That gives you a feel for the action-reaction cycle when 
turning the spoke wrench and the balance of bringing a wheel into true 
while increasing the tension.

Also, invest in a good spoke wrench - you're going to be doing a lot of 
turning. I got the DT Swiss Spokey 
 classic per 
the posts on this board.

--Ed C.

On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 8:25:58 AM UTC-7 Steven Seelig wrote:

> So with COVID and all, I've decided that now is the time to do stuff that 
> I haven't ever done before.  Learning to speak French is perhaps a bridge 
> too far - not so good at language.  But it seems reasonable to think that I 
> can at least build a front wheel with a Dyno hub to put on the Sam I ride 
> in the means streets of DC and on some gravel.  
>
> I have a truing stand but not a dishing tool.  I would say I am a 
> competent wrencher.  Of course anyone who has built up a wheel did it once 
> for the first time.  Is this something I should take on?  What are the odds 
> for success?  Will I quit in frustration?
>
> Points of view encouraged.
>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Todd G.]

So I’m probably beating the proverbial “dead horse” here, but I don’t think 
there is a more valuable skill for one to have than to have the ability to 
build and maintain your own wheels. Once you do it few times, it really 
starts to make sense. You will begin to see, understand and recognize all 
of the subtle, and not so subtle nuances of the art of wheel building. I 
really really enjoy it, and at times it really gets me to an almost 
meditative state.

Invest in the tools you will need. Don’t buy cheap tools either. Stick to 
Park, EVT (Efficient Velo Tools), Abbey etc, and you will not be sorry.

Enjoy the building process!
On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 1:14:48 PM UTC-7 Cyclofiend Jim wrote:

> Wheel building is deeply empowering. 
>
> First one I did was a simple swap to a new rim - AASHTA. 
> (TL;DR = tape the rims together so the holes match and "walk" the hub over 
> one spoke set at a time. That kind of demystified the crossing and such). 
>
> First time full-from-scratch build went pretty well - with copious reading 
> of Sheldon's writings and the Jobst book. Take breaks when you feel the 
> operator tension exceed the spoke tension. 
>
> I'd say a truing stand is a must-have, as is a good quality spoke wrench. 
> Dishing tool... not so much - certainly not a deal breaker as the purpose 
> is to keep the rim centered, which you can easily check with a flip.
>
> - Jim
>
>
> On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 8:25:58 AM UTC-7, Steven Seelig wrote:
>>
>> So with COVID and all, I've decided that now is the time to do stuff that 
>> I haven't ever done before.  Learning to speak French is perhaps a bridge 
>> too far - not so good at language.  But it seems reasonable to think that I 
>> can at least build a front wheel with a Dyno hub to put on the Sam I ride 
>> in the means streets of DC and on some gravel.  
>>
>> I have a truing stand but not a dishing tool.  I would say I am a 
>> competent wrencher.  Of course anyone who has built up a wheel did it once 
>> for the first time.  Is this something I should take on?  What are the odds 
>> for success?  Will I quit in frustration?
>>
>> Points of view encouraged.
>>
>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[velomann]

I would never try to talk someone out of building their own wheels. It's 
one of the most useful and satisfying skills I've acquired, and each build 
gets easier. There's an intense satisfaction to rolling - and rolling and 
rolling - on your own wheels. Each of mine has held up wonderfully. 
I took a class from Jude K when she was running Sugar Wheelworks, and I use 
a combination of her instructions and Sheldon's. Honestly, if you just 
follow Sheldon's online guide it's all you need.
Somewhere Grant wrote a list of something every cyclist should do at least 
once, and building a wheel was on the list. If someone wanted to dig that 
list up and re-post it that would be cool.
I own and use a tensiometer and dishing tool along with a truing stand and 
they are helpful but not necessary. For spoke prep I have always used 
boiled linseed oil - it works fine.
The advice I'd offer is what most others would or have said. Take Your 
Time, do regular and constant spoke tension relief as you bring the tension 
up (I take the wheel out of the stand constantly, put the axle on a board 
or stool, and push down on the rim 3 or 4 times - rotating around the rim - 
then flip and repeat.)
And keep a beer handy as you near finishing truing. This is when you really 
want to be relaxed and not in a hurry.

Mike M

On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 8:25:58 AM UTC-7 Steven Seelig wrote:

> So with COVID and all, I've decided that now is the time to do stuff that 
> I haven't ever done before.  Learning to speak French is perhaps a bridge 
> too far - not so good at language.  But it seems reasonable to think that I 
> can at least build a front wheel with a Dyno hub to put on the Sam I ride 
> in the means streets of DC and on some gravel.  
>
> I have a truing stand but not a dishing tool.  I would say I am a 
> competent wrencher.  Of course anyone who has built up a wheel did it once 
> for the first time.  Is this something I should take on?  What are the odds 
> for success?  Will I quit in frustration?
>
> Points of view encouraged.
>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Cyclofiend Jim]

Wheel building is deeply empowering. 

First one I did was a simple swap to a new rim - AASHTA. 
(TL;DR = tape the rims together so the holes match and "walk" the hub over 
one spoke set at a time. That kind of demystified the crossing and such). 

First time full-from-scratch build went pretty well - with copious reading 
of Sheldon's writings and the Jobst book. Take breaks when you feel the 
operator tension exceed the spoke tension. 

I'd say a truing stand is a must-have, as is a good quality spoke wrench. 
Dishing tool... not so much - certainly not a deal breaker as the purpose 
is to keep the rim centered, which you can easily check with a flip.

- Jim

On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 8:25:58 AM UTC-7, Steven Seelig wrote:
>
> So with COVID and all, I've decided that now is the time to do stuff that 
> I haven't ever done before.  Learning to speak French is perhaps a bridge 
> too far - not so good at language.  But it seems reasonable to think that I 
> can at least build a front wheel with a Dyno hub to put on the Sam I ride 
> in the means streets of DC and on some gravel.  
>
> I have a truing stand but not a dishing tool.  I would say I am a 
> competent wrencher.  Of course anyone who has built up a wheel did it once 
> for the first time.  Is this something I should take on?  What are the odds 
> for success?  Will I quit in frustration?
>
> Points of view encouraged.
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Nat Lichten]

Do it! I built my first (and so far only) wheelset about a year ago. I
bought Roger Musson’s ebook and found it fairly straightforward if I
followed the instructions and took my time.

I used a cheap, flimsy stand off craigslist which worked fine. I would
invest in a dishing gauge if I were to do it over again—I had a hard time
getting this exactly right, and the front rim is a mm or two off center.

Overall I’m glad I did it. I haven’t had time to build more wheels, but as
someone who likes to do their own wrenching it’s nice to know I can.

The wheels have held up fine, too, even through a head-on crash that
totaled the frame I had them on.

-Nat,
Also in DC

On Mon, Oct 19, 2020 at 12:39 PM lconley  wrote:

> I built wheels for years with the sidepull brakes on the bike as the
> truing stand. Reversed the brake pads and let the acorn nut heads be the
> side to side, rubber banded a small combination wrench across the brake
> pads to do the up and down. It can be done - did it that way for decades. A
> few years ago, I got a truing stand, then a dish gage, then a tension gage,
> then a stand centering tool, then dial indicators. I also started using
> spoke prep and never-seize. I am somewhat faster now, but my rims are much,
> much truer longer. I have built 3 pairs of wheels in the last few months -
> for my Rivendell Custom, Rivendell Cargo Bike, and just this past weekend -
> the Gus Boots Wilsen. Now I am getting really picky - making sure that the
> "Phil" lettering on the hub faces the spoke hole, from the side of the bike
> the rim decal on the left says "Velocity" on the rim decal on the right
> says "Cliffhanger" or "Quill" as the case may be. Its a slippery slope. I
> really enjoy building my own wheels - go for it. One side effect - I have
> even more wheels than bikes and I own way too many bikes.
>
> Spoke prep, never-seize and tensioning gage were big improvements to
> quality. Dial indicators added speed, which adds to quality - I get the
> wheels truer now, before getting impatient and declaring "good enough."
>
> Laing
> Delray Beach FL
>
> On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 11:25:58 AM UTC-4, Steven Seelig wrote:
>>
>> So with COVID and all, I've decided that now is the time to do stuff that
>> I haven't ever done before.  Learning to speak French is perhaps a bridge
>> too far - not so good at language.  But it seems reasonable to think that I
>> can at least build a front wheel with a Dyno hub to put on the Sam I ride
>> in the means streets of DC and on some gravel.
>>
>> I have a truing stand but not a dishing tool.  I would say I am a
>> competent wrencher.  Of course anyone who has built up a wheel did it once
>> for the first time.  Is this something I should take on?  What are the odds
>> for success?  Will I quit in frustration?
>>
>> Points of view encouraged.
>>
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> 
> .
>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Jeffrey Arita]

Steven,

Definitely do it!  If you are meticulous and patient, then you should be 
fine.  I have used Roger Musson's book along with his spoke length 
calculator - both have worked very, very well for me [16 wheel builds 
later]. 

I learned because my wife and I were about to embark on the TransAm back in 
2016.  Since we were going to be unsupported, I figured I'd better be able 
to fix and repair a wheel.  That is one of the many good things that comes 
out of all this: you will be able to repair broken spoke(s) or nipple(s) 
anywhere, as long as you carry spare(s).  You will also appreciate 
something that is so light is able to carry you so far and so fast.   And 
no, we had zero problems on the TransAm (and beyond).

Fast-forward to late 2018: I finally decided to purchase a tensiometer 
(Park Tool's model).  I think it is a good investment.  It helps *quantify *the 
tension all the way around the wheel.  Their Wheel Tension App is quite 
good in illustrating this, IMO.  Yes, my previous wheel builds did have 
some significant imbalances (!).

If you are provided the priceless luxury of time, definitely move forward!

Good luck,

Jeff

On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 8:25:58 AM UTC-7 Steven Seelig wrote:

> So with COVID and all, I've decided that now is the time to do stuff that 
> I haven't ever done before.  Learning to speak French is perhaps a bridge 
> too far - not so good at language.  But it seems reasonable to think that I 
> can at least build a front wheel with a Dyno hub to put on the Sam I ride 
> in the means streets of DC and on some gravel.  
>
> I have a truing stand but not a dishing tool.  I would say I am a 
> competent wrencher.  Of course anyone who has built up a wheel did it once 
> for the first time.  Is this something I should take on?  What are the odds 
> for success?  Will I quit in frustration?
>
> Points of view encouraged.
>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Garth]

 You'll be alright Steven. The difference to me between wheels built by 
me and wheels built by a dedicated professional is theirs are within 
tighter tolerances and they don't ever need touched, at least mine haven't 
and I have a 20 year old pair from Joe Young. They also do it much quicker 
of course. 

   Jim Land on youtube has the best video of building/truing wheels I've 
seen, his way is presentation is very easy going and more intuitive than 
all the books that I once read, and hated. 

"Just one more book Alice ... and POW .. right in the kisser !" 

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Re: [RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Patrick Moore]

I used the frame as my stand. There was no caliper, so I hooked my hand
around the seatstay and used my thumbnail as the truing gauge. Again, the
wheel ended up true, and stayed that way with no maintenance for a couple
of thousand miles. I was surprised at the results as well as at the ease of
the job, frankly.

On Mon, Oct 19, 2020 at 10:39 AM lconley  wrote:

> I built wheels for years with the sidepull brakes on the bike as the
> truing stand.
>
-- 

---
Patrick Moore
Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[lconley]

I built wheels for years with the sidepull brakes on the bike as the truing 
stand. Reversed the brake pads and let the acorn nut heads be the side to 
side, rubber banded a small combination wrench across the brake pads to do 
the up and down. It can be done - did it that way for decades. A few years 
ago, I got a truing stand, then a dish gage, then a tension gage, then a 
stand centering tool, then dial indicators. I also started using spoke prep 
and never-seize. I am somewhat faster now, but my rims are much, much truer 
longer. I have built 3 pairs of wheels in the last few months - for my 
Rivendell Custom, Rivendell Cargo Bike, and just this past weekend - the 
Gus Boots Wilsen. Now I am getting really picky - making sure that the 
"Phil" lettering on the hub faces the spoke hole, from the side of the bike 
the rim decal on the left says "Velocity" on the rim decal on the right 
says "Cliffhanger" or "Quill" as the case may be. Its a slippery slope. I 
really enjoy building my own wheels - go for it. One side effect - I have 
even more wheels than bikes and I own way too many bikes.

Spoke prep, never-seize and tensioning gage were big improvements to 
quality. Dial indicators added speed, which adds to quality - I get the 
wheels truer now, before getting impatient and declaring "good enough."

Laing
Delray Beach FL

On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 11:25:58 AM UTC-4, Steven Seelig wrote:
>
> So with COVID and all, I've decided that now is the time to do stuff that 
> I haven't ever done before.  Learning to speak French is perhaps a bridge 
> too far - not so good at language.  But it seems reasonable to think that I 
> can at least build a front wheel with a Dyno hub to put on the Sam I ride 
> in the means streets of DC and on some gravel.  
>
> I have a truing stand but not a dishing tool.  I would say I am a 
> competent wrencher.  Of course anyone who has built up a wheel did it once 
> for the first time.  Is this something I should take on?  What are the odds 
> for success?  Will I quit in frustration?
>
> Points of view encouraged.
>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[George Schick]

I agree with the comments here and I'd say go ahead and build it, too.  The 
first couple of wheels I built by myself (dating back to the late 70's) 
were disasters - forgot to pay attention to placing the valve stem hole in 
the rim where the spokes are wide apart, ordered the wrong length spokes so 
that there was barely enough thread to accommodate the nipples, etc.  But 
as time went along I caught on to the various details, consulted good 
advice (like Sheldon's), worked slowly and methodically.  The last wheel I 
built, or rather re-built due to a bad crash back in '04 that taco'd the 
rim, used the same spokes along with a new rim.  That wheel has never been 
touched since and it's still true with no broken spokes ever.  BTW, I have 
to take exception with the advice about the dishing stick. No, you don't 
absolutely have to use one, but they sure make things easier.  And simple 
ones are relatively inexpensive, as cheap as $30-$40, so why not just add 
one to your tool set.


On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 10:25:58 AM UTC-5 Steven Seelig wrote:

> So with COVID and all, I've decided that now is the time to do stuff that 
> I haven't ever done before.  Learning to speak French is perhaps a bridge 
> too far - not so good at language.  But it seems reasonable to think that I 
> can at least build a front wheel with a Dyno hub to put on the Sam I ride 
> in the means streets of DC and on some gravel.  
>
> I have a truing stand but not a dishing tool.  I would say I am a 
> competent wrencher.  Of course anyone who has built up a wheel did it once 
> for the first time.  Is this something I should take on?  What are the odds 
> for success?  Will I quit in frustration?
>
> Points of view encouraged.
>

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[RBW] Re: Talk Me Out of Building My Own Wheels

[Collin A]

I am about to start a wheel rebuild (for the first time) by replacing the 
existing rims with a lighter rim of a similar ERD. Should be pretty 
straight forward, but...I'll let you know how it goes, ha! Also interested 
in other's points of view on wheel builds as well.

Cheers,
Collin in Sac

On Monday, October 19, 2020 at 8:25:58 AM UTC-7 Steven Seelig wrote:

> So with COVID and all, I've decided that now is the time to do stuff that 
> I haven't ever done before.  Learning to speak French is perhaps a bridge 
> too far - not so good at language.  But it seems reasonable to think that I 
> can at least build a front wheel with a Dyno hub to put on the Sam I ride 
> in the means streets of DC and on some gravel.  
>
> I have a truing stand but not a dishing tool.  I would say I am a 
> competent wrencher.  Of course anyone who has built up a wheel did it once 
> for the first time.  Is this something I should take on?  What are the odds 
> for success?  Will I quit in frustration?
>
> Points of view encouraged.
>

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