Hello all!

Burning man is around the corner and it's time to fix up the old long-bicycle. I made it out of a hacked up Schwinn cruiser.



Last year the rear wheel taco'd while carrying three people. Super bummer.

So this year I'm going to build it a super tough (but cheap) rear wheel that will never fail. I'm a handy guy and grew up working in a machine shop, so I'm not too worried about how to do it... but I need the forums help to choose the right parts.

I want to use the following:

Hub: Shimano Nexus 3-speed hub (SG 3C41) http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-SG-3C4.../dp/B001GSKVIQ

Rim: Mavic XM117 Disc Rim 2011: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=36245

Both are 36 hole. That's as far as I've got.

Now how do I choose and order the correct spokes? I want the strongest spokes possible. Should I buy double or triple butted? How long? What nipples?

Also - I am considering drilling out the Shimano hub to accomodate larger spokes, if the rim can take it. Is that a crazy idea?

Thanks all,

Cassidy