Originally Posted by
SquidPuppet
IME you don't want to build your first wheels from good stuff for a bike that you are exited about and are planning to do lots of trouble free miles on. Disappointment looms.
Recommendation: Acquire a rim, front hub and spokes. Even if you buy new, you can spend next to nothing if you buy bottom end generic junk. Nashbar has ~$5.00 hubs for example.
Build the wheel. Don't use it.
Disassemble the wheel and then build it again.
Repeat this process until you stop experiencing "Ah ha" learning moments. Like many other crafts there is a learning curve. Spoke wind up, stress relieving, proper tension, even tension, are all "Braille" skills that only come by doing. Once you believe you've got it down, go for it with the good parts.
The benefits to doing it this way are many. There is no rush to finish because it's just a training exercise. Lacing mistake at first shot? Ah ha! Who cares. Start over. Scratching the rim? Who cares. First attempt at truing is a cluster****? Who cares. Start over. Waited too long to remove the hop? Who cares. Start over.
Good luck.
Well, I have an old 105/OpenPro wheel in my closet I could take apart and rebuild a few times. It's worthless as a wheel because the hub's bearing races are shot and the rim is almost worn through from the brakes.
I own a Park wheel stand and I already true my own wheels. My commuter wheels have rolled straight and true for a couple years since I last adjusted them. (don't ask about the crappy wheels on my Fuji, though)