Wheel Building

[mlocke]

I have been thinking for a while that i would like to know how to build my own wheels for my own interest but i'm not sure if it is financially worthwhile given that factory wheels are relatively cheap and decent quality these days

What do you reckon is it worthwhile buying some tools and building your own or not?

Mark

[Grahame]

Absolutely worth it. Handbuilt wheels weigh about the same as all but the most expensive factory wheels, and are much more repairable. Oh, and the satisfaction of riding something you built is huge.

Read [url=http://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html]Sheldon Brown's wheelbuilding web page[/url] for comprehensive, easy to follow instructions.

Get the necessary tools as Christmas presents, and have a relaxing Christmas day building wheels.

Be prepared to walk away and have a cup of tea if the truing is not working. I've had a number of wheels that I've just not been able to get right, gone away for a cup of tea and slice of cake (or toast, toast works just as well), come back and had the wheel trued within 1/2mm in a few minutes.

[Phil H]

It's a skill I'd like to acquire. I do some basic truing (haven't had any disasters yet) but building from scratch sounds fun.

[Grahame]

Yup, no problem with doing that. I've a wheel that I bought wrongly laced that I've been looking for an excuse to pull it apart and rebuild it properly.

[Dan_K]

I'd be up for that. The rear wheel on my hybrid is well outta line.

[Jon H]

I can recommend it. After Grahame's previous wheelbuiding demo's I took the plunge and built some wheels for my commuting/winter bike and they're still going strong.

[Andrew G]

I use 36 spoke bomb proof handbuilts on my commuter and fixed bikes, although not built by myself. I'd always go for them though for high spoke count winter wheels.

I did recently buy some new wheels for my good bike and got Planet X model B ones. They are insane value for money as they cost £130 and weigh as little as wheels costing £400. The hubs are Planet X Superlight which are buttery smooth and on my Planet X carbon race wheels. There isn't anything close to them for weight and performance within £200.

[Del]

I'm certainly interested in a wheel building lesson!

[Dombo]

Does flange size make a difference? When I was a nipper in the 60s/70s top end bikes had wider flanges than you see now. Stiffer wheel as the spokes are shorter? Or just cosmetic?

[Phil H]

I understood that with newer spoke materials you could get the stiffness you want by tweaking the nipples then what you do with the flange is largely down to personal preference. It might help to put a little grease on your rim first.

[Andrew G]

Used to have your spokes tied and soldered too.

[Ian A4size]

Glad to see you never took the bait there finbar

[Marcus]

Is this a go go I have a wheel that needs dishing as the LBS messed up twice, so I thought I would do it myself, would be good to attend a group session on this and hub servicing.