tyrion

If I wanted to build a couple of wheels for the first time, would I regret getting a cheap truing stand like this $80 one:



To rephrase the question: with this kind of cheap stand I'd obviously be sacrificing ruggedness, but would I be sacrificing significant precision?

(I'm not a great mechanic, but between this forum and youtube videos I can kind of muddle through and get things done properly.)

ironwood

No. I used to build my wheels and true them on a suspended frame; with a pencil and the brake pads as guides. I rode one set of those wheels across North America and around Europe. Only one spoke broke.

I have the same type of stand that you've pictured. Minoura? Now, if you are going to build lots of wheels, a professional stand like one from Park Tools would be better and quicker, but it doesn't sound as iff you are going into the wheelbuilding business.

ThermionicScott 

$80 is a lot to spend on a cheap stand. I'd use a frame as a guide and keep saving up for a good stand.

cny-bikeman

+1 - $80 is cheap? They start at around $40. I would call that mid-range. Very few people would need an expensive one. Besides, if you want to know how rugged it is, it would be better to check reviews of that particular model by actual users than to ask us to guess.

fixedweasel

If you are just going to buiild a few wheels, you do not need a stand. You can easily use the drops on a bike* coupled with the most archaic guide. If you do spend money on anything, get a Park's tensioner. Worth it's weight.




*as long as it's** straight/true
**frame/fork

Retro Grouch 

The only thing that a truing stand does is give you a stable place to measure from.

MePoocho

tyrion,

This is one I recently purchased and built up front and rear wheels for my bike. It was more than satisfactory in stability and ease of use. I would recommend it for the casual user.

I did have a slight advantage in that I've built many motorcycle wheels. Both road and dirt. Even still it is good choice for the bucks.

Screen Shot 2017-12-23 at 4.39.49 PM.png

sweeks

I have one much like it (Spin Doctor; see image). I got it on sale for about $40 IIRC. I have built several wheels, mostly 20" rears for my folding bikes, and one rear for my Airborne. It is a decent stand. While it is true that I could use a fork (either in a vise or as part of a bike), I have enjoyed building the wheels in my living room while watching TV or listening to music.

In my fondest dreams I buy the Park Tools version.

@fixedweasel: If you mean the Park Tools tension gauge, I second that. It has been very useful to me.
Steve

tyrion

I have some back issues and need to set things up to minimize bending and twisting. These days, whenever I do stuff like this, half the battle is getting a comfortable work setup.

I would definitely get a tension meter if I decide to pursue this.

MePoocho

Tyron,,,
I forgot to add this to my last post.....

Yesterday I received the last season of 'Game Of Thrones'. I'm now 'binge' watching starting from the first season.... Good Stuff..

tyrion

Thanks. Looks like it's $70 now, but I'll keep my eye out for sales.

sweeks

Looks like the one you are looking at has a more sophisticated "centering" mechanism than mine, which requires flipping the wheel to verify centering or "dish". Not a big deal, but FYI.

Regarding your back issues, I hear you. I put the stand on the coffee table and sit on a sofa while I work on the wheels.
Steve

maddog34

i have two stands... the Spin Doctor, and the classic Park... i use the Spin Doctor.

found the Spin doctor for $25, used... there's one for $40 on PDX CL recently... they are lighter, and easier to adjust.... a bit wobbly, but fine adjustment is better...

i check centering with a Park gauge... build new wheels with the Park stand.

Retro Grouch 

If the centering function turns out to be reliable. I don't use the one on my Park truing stand anymore. I flip the wheel and verify by using my dish gauge.

Kontact 

I would rather use a good frame/fork and quality brakes than a rickety truing stand. I've built 6 wheels that way during a period when I wasn't working at a shop.

AnkleWork

A few answers here: Link

Jon T

Use the bike frame or fork itself. Best way to know if the wheel is centered.
Jon

sweeks

The Spin Doctor stand is not rickety. And it goes nicely on a coffee table (next to a mug of coffee) in front of the TV.
Steve

sweeks

No matter what you use for a truing stand, all you have to do is flip the wheel to verify proper centering.
Steve

Bike Gremlin

Some of the cheaper models in posts above are too flimsy to allow flipping to show the error. That's been my experience. So using the frame, or a ruler (whether improvised, or not) is needed to get it measured properly.

Ruler, of course, is the quickest way and doesn't cost too much, can even be made out of wood - improvised.

Since I've bought a ruler, I've always found it easiest and most accurate to use that for checking.

PdalPowr

I wonder if you could take the fork off a wrecked bike,
drill a hole in a two inch thick board then epoxy the fork in it.
The board would have to be long and wide or secured to something else.

Bike Gremlin

Apart from advising yoga (it does help, seriously, of course, do consult a doctor depending on problem you have), I'd recommend good quality tools. They are worth it in the long run. Most cheap tools are a pain to use whenever you use them. I've got this (and back problems):

https://www.bike24.com/1.php?content...mid%5B968%5D=1

Painted it blue for better visibility - black is not the best choice.



I put it on the ground, it's heavy and stable. Then I can sit with legs crossed, or squat - works best for my back.


This book is good tutorial for wheel building and truing AND it gives blueprints (and instructions) for building your own truing stand, ruler and improvising other tools required, I recommend it:

https://www.wheelpro.co.uk/wheelbuilding/book.php

SethAZ 

Sure you could do that. I built my first wheelset using the fork of my up-turned bike as the stand. For the second set I bought the Park Tools stand. It was better with the Park Tools stand. Big surprise there. But yeah, if you are frugal, or just can't afford a real stand, or just like improvising reasonable solutions, an up-turned fork will totally work.

Lazyass

I have a Spin Doctor and it does the job but it kind of sucks. I don't like how each caliper moves individually and can get pushed back out by the rim. You have to make sure the the part of the rim they touch is centered before you adjust them in. The only problem with that is their purpose is supposed to be to help you center the rim. It's just cheap. I would rather have one like the OP posted, where one knob moves both calipers at once.

sweeks

The centering is measured by a sort of "flip-up" ruler/gauge*. I use the probes to evaluate true-ness of the rim... which one I use is determined by convenience mainly, since the rim has constant width.

I was a little concerned about the struts that support the wheel... they are geared so they move together when the O.L.D. is adjusted. They seem to move pretty evenly, but I still check the centering with the tool that came with the stand.
Steve

*EDIT: I notice this is not shown in the image I posted. I'll get a snap of mine and post it.