Originally Posted by
2wheelcommute
I'm planning on building a wheel together with a great wheelbuilder at my local bicycle co-op. He says I just need to show up with the materials and he'll walk me through everything else. I'm really excited to learn wheelbuilding. I just need to figure out exactly what components to use.
I've already settled on a rim and hub:
--Hub: Alfine 11 IGH, 32 hole (
http://harriscyclery.net/product/shi...tm?preview=yes)
--Rim: 700c WTB Dual Duty FR (
http://www.wtb.com/products/wheels/r...ualdutyfr29er/)
My question is, what size spokes do I need? And are there any brands that are especially recommended?
I've never done any wheelbuilding before, and I have no idea how to select the right spokes. If anyone can just tell me, "for that hub and that rim, get _______," I would be eternally grateful. Thanks in advance!
For the last couple of sets I've used Sapim Race 14/15/14 butted spokes from Bike Tool's Etc. Quality cold forged stainless and they come in bags of 20, which is nice if you need 2 different lengths. At 12.99 a bag, the price is very nice too. I'm a clyde and have been riding these wheels full up touring on the GAP/C&O and they are still dead true.
http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cg...id=SA-RDB14282
IF you feel the need for super bomber spokes they have 13/14 Sapim Strong spokes. (These are also the Phil Wood Spokes) Custom length for $1.25 ea.
http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cg..._id=SA-SSB13CC
DT Alpine III's (13/15/14 or 2.3, 1.7, 2.0 mm) have been the goto for tourers and tandems for a long time. All the vendors with Alpine III's (13/15/14) seem to have only the Black in boxes of 72 for somewhere just over $80 Harris has stocked these in the past, I'd bet they still do.