Bicycle Mechanics - Lacing a 32 hole rim to a 36 hole hub?

Whats the process of going about this?

I've never built a wheel before but am looking to dive in. Want to use a Sun DS2-XC 32 hole rim with a Shimano Nexus 8 speed 36 hole hub

It's impossible. I have been looking into this long and hard, searched the net, tried various tricks, all to no avail.

Whats the process of going about this?

I've never built a wheel before but am looking to dive in. Want to use a Sun DS2-XC 32 hole rim with a Shimano Nexus 8 speed 36 hole hub

The good news is that I'm sure that it's do-able.

The bad news is that I don't know how. It'll involve some different spoke lengths so I assume it will require some fairly advanced math to figure it out.

My question is: Why would anybody choose this for their very first wheel building project? Wouldn't you want to build at least one good wheel first before you delve into goofy and probably inferior ones?

The good news is that I'm sure that it's do-able.


Wanna bet?

IF the holes on the rim were perfectly in line, then MAYBE. But as it is, such rims don't exist. I actually tried this kind of lacing. I spent a good two day's worth of work on it, and couldn't do it. I studied thoroughly this article (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/mismatch/), but that's a 28 hole rim laced with a 36 hole hub. That's doable, with a bit of tricking around. 32 hole rim to 36 hole hub is, with existing rims, impossible. That's what I concluded, and believe to be the case. It's even more impossible for a rear wheel, where you can't have it all radially laced.

You would have to use 8 holes, skip one on each flange, so maybe 8 slightly different spoke lengths on each side. Might even be less if I sat down and drew it out. This could be a fun exercise....













.......in futility

The good news is that I'm sure that it's do-able.

The bad news is that I don't know how. It'll involve some different spoke lengths so I assume it will require some fairly advanced math to figure it out.

My question is: Why would anybody choose this for their very first wheel building project? Wouldn't you want to build at least one good wheel first before you delve into goofy and probably inferior ones?
I didn't choose this project per say, it more chose me. The Nexus only comes in 36 hole and I already have 32 hole rims on the bike I will be putting this on. I thought perhaps I could cut the cost of a new rim and spokes but I guess not.

I didn't choose this project per say, it more chose me. The Nexus only comes in 36 hole and I already have 32 hole rims on the bike I will be putting this on. I thought perhaps I could cut the cost of a new rim and spokes but I guess not.
No, but you'll have a complete extra wheel you could sell to recoup some cost.

Wow. Nice starter project. And a rear wheel to boot! Even if you found some magic formula to get all the spoke lengths correct, the lacing pattern would certainly be off creating 2 problems:

1. A wheel that was inherently weaker in certain areas and
2. Such a variation in spoke tension that is would require constant adjustment.

This is a bad idea from every angle. I'd do what another poster suggested - build a second wheel and sell it to recoup some of your investment.

Thanks for the advice guys, now in the market for a 36 hole rim

What size?

Why would one even attempt this unless incredibly bored? I would not recommend trying this - especially for a first build. if you want a good result, use good stuff that is compatible.

I'd do what another poster suggested - build a second wheel and sell it to recoup some of your investment.

That sounds like a bad idea, too: you'll never recover the costs of the hub + rim + spokes, if you build and sell the wheel. I'd bet you won't even recover the costs of the hub + wheel. Pre-built wheels are so cheap these days.


Rather, I'd suggest to just sell the rim, and be done with it. Or keep it, for when a 32 hole hub comes across. A front hub, for example; a 32 spoke front + 36 spoke rear wheel is a logical and good combo.

What size?
26"

Preferrably looking for a black disc only rim so it matches the front. To make things even more complicated the rim has to be 32mm wide or less (narrow tires are being used)

That sounds like a bad idea, too: you'll never recover the costs of the hub + rim + spokes, if you build and sell the wheel. I'd bet you won't even recover the costs of the hub + wheel. Pre-built wheels are so cheap these days.


Rather, I'd suggest to just sell the rim, and be done with it. Or keep it, for when a 32 hole hub comes across. A front hub, for example; a 32 spoke front + 36 spoke rear wheel is a logical and good combo.
Not talking about building a second wheel to sell. The extra wheel is the 32 spoke one he already has on the bike - it's superfluous after building his new Nexus 36 spoke wheel..

26"

Preferrably looking for a black disc only rim so it matches the front. To make things even more complicated the rim has to be 32mm wide or less (narrow tires are being used)

Ah ha, the one (nominal) size fits all size. Better tell us in ISO since 26" covers a lot of territory.

559mm, standard 26" "mountain bike" rim

http://www.velocityusa.com/img/r_ATB_aero_logos.gif (http://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=594)

(click image)

comes in 36 hole non-machined black and 24mm. They have others on the site up to 31.5mm: menu to left

http://www.velocityusa.com/img/r_ATB_aero_logos.gif (http://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=594)

(click image)

comes in 36 hole non-machined black and 24mm. They have others on the site up to 31.5mm: menu to left


Nice! I wish they had a 48-hole rim, too. Need one for a tandem bike. I want it bulletproof, hence the 48 spoke project.

It will work, just don't plan on using it for a long time or at all. Wheel building may possible be the hardest thing in bike mechanics and it would bode you well to start with things that go together.