linberl

So I am thinking of trying to build my own wheels for my Bike Friday. Am I correct that - given a disaster - I would still have a usable hub and rim and would only need to pay for spokes/nipples and labor if I threw in the towel? Or could the process of building (badly) ruin the rim or hub? Trying to decide how much risk I want to take. My experience is that something always happens and nothing is as easy as it seems so I like to plan for the worst case.
I'd be a lot more comfortable knowing I could take the major parts to a shop if need be, rather than doubling my cost.

FBinNY 

One of the first things I learned relating to mechanics is "nothing is foolproof, because fools are too ingenious".

That said, it would be near impossible to damage the hub, but if you really went crazy you could warp the rim enough to make rebuilding harder than with a new rim.

On the bright side, odds favor that the spokes will also be OK, so the greatest risk there is ordering the wrong length.

In the end, besides time, the most likely casualty of an aborted effort would the nipples, plus some time, and maybe some of your hair.

If you're willing to roll the dice a bit to pay for the education, then most definitely go ahead and give it a shot. When finished you can buy a beer, either to celebrate or cry into.

linberl

So I found this online, and I might just blatantly rip off his specs and everything =). https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/...page_id=400695 That would make if a bit more fool-proof, maybe. I would probably err on the lower tension side by nature, so unlikely to warp the rim. If I got it put together properly and it wasn't perfectly trued up, I wouldn't mind paying the lbs to do that since I don't have the proper gear (will be truing to sound using iphone pitch app).

Is there anything involved that requires a lot of hand or finger strength? I've small hands and a bit of arthritis...

FBinNY 

As I said, you should go for it, since the cost of your education is going to be very low.

As for the arthritis, that's tricky because while no strength is called for, there's plenty of finger dexterity involved so if motion alone is going to be painful you may have issues.

linberl

Dexterity is fine, so I think it should be okay. Thanks for the encouragement - I will do it. I have an old wheel I replaced previously which I think I will "take apart" to reverse engineer the process and better understand how it works. No loss if I can't put it back together =). I'm excited about this - nothing beats the "i did that" feeling!

FBinNY 

Don't take the other wheel apart. stand it up next to the one you're working on as a template and reference.

If the number of spokes and crosses is the same, then it's a perfect example to copy exactly. If the number of either spokes or crosses are different then you'll have to do some translating, but the basic pattern will still be similar.

linberl

Ah, okay. And that would be correct even if it is not the same brand of rim? Regardless of rim and hub brands, the lacing should be the same on the same size wheel? Because that would make it much easier to have a visual to follow...

Jeff Wills

Yes.

And FWIW: 20" wheels are much harder to screw up. The smaller hoop is much more rigid and harder to warp. (I've built quite a few for my recumbents.) The downside is that the more rigid rim hides tension variations. You can end up with a wheel that looks close to true but some spokes loose while some are very tight.

FBinNY 

Yes, to a spoke, everything is a hole. The only thing that matters is the positions of the holes at either end.

jbucky1

I say do it. I find wheel building very therapeutic. I like the Jobst book.

https://www.buckyrides.com

linberl

Cool =). I'll do it and then take one wheel in to my lbs just to have them check the truing/dishing aspect. If it's okay, great. If not, then maybe I can encourage them with some beer to teach me how to true it properly. The Jobst book was recommended to me by several people, so I will start there. THANKS!

jbucky1

I found the inexpensive Park Tension meter a good tool to have and learn with.
The hardest thing for me to learn was "do lots of small things verses one large change" - this really makes a difference in building hq wheels.

James
https://www.buckyrides.com

coominya

Reading this thread gave me a headache, My first effort led to me attacking the wheel with a piece of 2" pipe. I completely destroyed that wheel and cassette. I love doing bike mechanics but building wheels is more akin to an art form I think. Now I better go find a puppy to cuddle, or Strangle.

jgedwa

Did you just make that up? That's brilliant!

Jim

Retro Grouch 

Not helpful on 20" wheels because the spokes aren't long enough to fit the tool.

Be sure to start all the nipples evenly on the spokes. Then build up tension gradually counting turns as you go. Like FB suggested, use a good existing wheel as a template and as an "analogue" test for tension.

unterhausen

I got my start building wheels by transferring a new rim onto an existing wheel. Simpler times.

FBinNY 

Yes, it seemed apt at the time.

3alarmer 

...there used to be at least one person who taught wheel building at the SF Bike Kitchen in SOMA. You just list your location as Bay Area, so it's hard to tell if that is feasible for you.

linberl

Yes, that's what I am afraid of and why I started this thread. If it goes badly, at least I won't be out a ton of money for the parts and knowing that will keep me from taking a pipe to it. I'm usually pretty patient so I'm hopeful I have the right temperament. I usually only get furious when something has been tightened down too much by a shop mechanic and I can't budge it (not the strongest old lady out there). Then I'm stuck til the weekend so my son can come over and loosen it.
My back up plan is to get is assembled and, if it seems wonky, there is a community bike shop that's open 2 days a week to help cyclists with their bikes. If I have to, I can make the Ride of Shame over there with the wheel. Bringing beer or brownies usually works

speedy25

I'll also add there are some good videos out there about wheel lacing. Watch a few.

When you first assemble it, turn the nipples on so all of them have the same engagement, and then tighten them a little at a time going all around the wheel.

Have fun with your build.

-SP

3alarmer 

.
...try to find some old guy over off in a corner happily working away on something by himself. That's what I would be doing, and I know a lot about bicycle wheels.

FBinNY 

There is no shame in trying and failing, or asking for help. The only shame would be in being afraid to try in the first place.

BTW - there's a famous quote about this, but I couldn't find it. I'll buy whoever finds the quote and citation a virtual beer.

linberl

The people working there, who help out, are all young. Young enough to be my grandkids actually! I think they think it's "cute" that a little old lady likes to wrench. And they are usually shocked when I ask an intelligent mechanical question or know what they are talking about. And then they are surprised when they find out I bike everywhere. They do like my bike, though. It's like taking your dog to the vet, you want the vet to love on him, too.

davidad

If you have any mechanical aptitude you will be able to do it. Take it slow and don't be discouraged.
I wasn't able to use my tensiometer on the spokes of a 20" wheel.
I like the Gerd Schraner book "The art of wheel building" for his spoking technique.
This ain't brain surgery!

noglider 

I think the worst thing likely to happen is you don't get it working and end up paying a shop mechanic to do it for you. I doubt you'll damage anything. All you have to lose is your time.

If you think you got it right, bring it to a mechanic anyway to check your work. He/she might tweak it, and there's no shame in that, either.