Originally Posted by
CB HI
Better than the attitude of not letting folks know that the very first wheel you built is only a few months old, while you make appearances of an experienced wheel builder.
I didn't intend to act like an expert. A lot of people here know I only got into wheelbuilding this year, and I forgot that some people wouldn't know about it. Regardless, my wheels have been ridden and looked at by people who have built hundreds of wheels, and they said I'm doing a great job. While I am not an expert, I do have some experience, and more to the point, I have experience which didn't involve a ton of money up front.
That said, I have trued many more wheels than I have built, going back years. I have never owned a stand, and I have never had an issue with these wheels. That's what I was suggesting the OP do--true his own wheels. And I stand by my statements 100%-- You CAN true (or build) wheels without a truing stand, and you can do a good job at it.
Well, maybe YOU can't, I don't know.
Anyway, for reference, read this:
http://miketechinfo.com/new-tech-wheels-tires.htm
A few quotes he uses below.
From: Gerd Schraner's book "The Art of Wheelbuilding"
"It is always the wheelbuilder who makes a good job of truing wheels, not the truing tools. It is therefore not necessary to have the latest high-tech, sophisticated toy to attain a high quality wheel. I learned how to true wheels using an old bicycle fork and my fingernail to measure misalignment".
From Jobst Brandt in his definitive book "The Bicycle Wheel" -
"The only tool essential for wheel building is a spoke wrench. The bicycle can serve as a good and adequate truing stand. Brake pads can be used as a reference from which to observe wheel alignment. Some builders prefer to use their thumb as a gauge even when using a well-equipped stand."