Wheel building book.
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,657
Likes: 1,119
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
The classic in the field is Jobst Brandt's "The Bicycle Wheel", first published in 1981. I believe it it out of print but easily available through used book sellers and Amazon.
This is a highly detailed and theoretical treatment of bicycle wheel design and function. Some of his claims are a bit controversial but still very thought provoking. There is a lot of practical, hands-on info also.
The book is obviously dated and, of course, says nothing about carbon rims and other material and design changes since it was written. Still, well worth the time.
This is a highly detailed and theoretical treatment of bicycle wheel design and function. Some of his claims are a bit controversial but still very thought provoking. There is a lot of practical, hands-on info also.
The book is obviously dated and, of course, says nothing about carbon rims and other material and design changes since it was written. Still, well worth the time.
#3
Really Old Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,639
Likes: 1,887
From: Mid Willamette Valley, Orygun
Bikes: 87 RockHopper,2008 Specialized Globe. Both upgraded to 9 speeds. 2019 Giant Explore E+3
I started here-
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html
I bought Brandt's book, but had trouble wrapping my brain around some parts.
OTH, I have mild Asperger's, but I thought that would help wrap my....
How do you define "maintenance"?
If you are talking hubs/bearings, just Google "bicycle hub maintenance".
It's not the same as "wheel building".
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html
I bought Brandt's book, but had trouble wrapping my brain around some parts.
OTH, I have mild Asperger's, but I thought that would help wrap my....
How do you define "maintenance"?
If you are talking hubs/bearings, just Google "bicycle hub maintenance".
It's not the same as "wheel building".
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 55
From: West Orange County, CA
Bikes: '84 Peugeot PH10LE
Plus one on Brandt's book. Also, Sheldon Browne has an excellent how-to at his site. I just rebuilt my rear wheel after 30-plus years. Couldn't find my copy of the book but the on-line info from Browne got me through it with flying colors!
Jon
Jon
#6
This is the book I learned (and am still learning) from - Most excellent, for a $12 download :
https://www.wheelpro.co.uk/wheelbuilding/book.php
Musson's book covers everything, in an easily understood fashion - I actually printed it out, and keep it in a ring binder on my workbench
https://www.wheelpro.co.uk/wheelbuilding/book.php
Musson's book covers everything, in an easily understood fashion - I actually printed it out, and keep it in a ring binder on my workbench
#8
Half way there

Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,967
Likes: 895
From: North Carolina
Bikes: Many, and the list changes frequently
The classic in the field is Jobst Brandt's "The Bicycle Wheel", first published in 1981. I believe it it out of print but easily available through used book sellers and Amazon.
This is a highly detailed and theoretical treatment of bicycle wheel design and function. Some of his claims are a bit controversial but still very thought provoking. There is a lot of practical, hands-on info also.
The book is obviously dated and, of course, says nothing about carbon rims and other material and design changes since it was written. Still, well worth the time.
This is a highly detailed and theoretical treatment of bicycle wheel design and function. Some of his claims are a bit controversial but still very thought provoking. There is a lot of practical, hands-on info also.
The book is obviously dated and, of course, says nothing about carbon rims and other material and design changes since it was written. Still, well worth the time.
#9
+1 on Musson’s book. I have both it and Jobst Brandt’s, and I found Musson’s more useful as a stepwise set of instructions for how to build a set of wheels. They’re both good books and complement each other, but if I had to pick only one to learn how to build wheels, it would be the Musson’s book.
#10
Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 36
Likes: 4
I went one step further and got an instructional DVD that takes you step by step through the entire process of building a 3 cross rear wheel for a road bike from scratch. It also has information for variations like building for disc brakes or 2x spoke patterns, how to measure for ordering spokes, what tools you need and how to use them etc. The cost was small considering the skills you can learn from a Master Wheel Builder. I have since built several wheels very successfully and have greatly improved my truing skills along the way. Google 'billmouldwheels', if you cant find where to order the DVD, just email him. He has always been happy to answer any questions.
#11
it's called life, can't recommend it highly enough 
I've read three books about wheel building, begin with robert wright's as an easy intro, then read jobst brandts' for some theory and musson's for detailed and well explained instructions.
The best advice you will find however is in these forums' brains

I've read three books about wheel building, begin with robert wright's as an easy intro, then read jobst brandts' for some theory and musson's for detailed and well explained instructions.
The best advice you will find however is in these forums' brains
#12
Clark W. Griswold




Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 18,275
Likes: 6,633
From: ,location, location
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
this book was strongly recommended to me: ART OF WHEELBUILDING: A BENCH REFERENCE FOR NEOPHYTES, PROS & WHEELAHOLICS, By Gerd Schraner.
the high price of the book has kept me from owning a physical copy. however, if you use your google-fu, you can find a downloadable pdf of it.
the high price of the book has kept me from owning a physical copy. however, if you use your google-fu, you can find a downloadable pdf of it.
#13
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 323
From: Mt Shasta, CA, USA
Bikes: Too many. Giant Trance X 29, Surly Midnight Special get the most time.
Brandt's book is pretty excellent. For individual topics, I really like some of the blog posts on https://www.wheelfanatyk.com/blog/ .
#14
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14,164
Likes: 5,295
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
"Building Bicycle Wheels" is an excellent book for one's first wheel. Robert Wright uses plain English, simple terms and does a good job of demystifying wheelbuilding. He is as straightforward in real life. Also an excellent wheelbuilder. (I say this in present tense. I knew him 40 years ago. He doesn't blow his own horn. I knew from others he built good wheels. Had no idea he'd published a book two years before.)
#15
Mostly harmless ™
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,462
Likes: 243
From: Novi Sad
Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters
+1 on Musson’s book. I have both it and Jobst Brandt’s, and I found Musson’s more useful as a stepwise set of instructions for how to build a set of wheels. They’re both good books and complement each other, but if I had to pick only one to learn how to build wheels, it would be the Musson’s book.
Mussons to learn what to do and how, Brandt's book to learn/understand why it's done that way.
#16
Generally bewildered

Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 344
From: Eastern PA, USA
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 6.9, 1999 LeMond Zurich, 1978 Schwinn Superior
Another vote for Musson's book, "Professional Guide to Wheelbuilding". I laid out the dough to buy a legit version of this. More modern than Jobst. Explains some things Jobst doesn't.
Jobst's book is also excellent. I had a hard copy and I think I lent it to my stepfather and he passed away so I can't find my copy.
Schraner's book "The Art of Wheelbuilding" is also very good. A bit idiosyncratic and counter to some modern wheelbuilding thought, though. Still (in 1999) he recommended tying and soldering on some wheels. Even for track bikes I think that this is now a discredited practice.
I do expect that the Secret Guild of Exalted Spoke Solderers to rise up en masse and will converge on my house with torches made from extra-long seat posts to visit their wrath upon me and my heathen untied spokes. Sigh.
Any of these books will teach you a lot. I'd start with Musson. A second (or alternate first) choice would be Jobst. Schraner's book is useful once you have the first two books under your belt. My 2 cents.
Jobst's book is also excellent. I had a hard copy and I think I lent it to my stepfather and he passed away so I can't find my copy.
Schraner's book "The Art of Wheelbuilding" is also very good. A bit idiosyncratic and counter to some modern wheelbuilding thought, though. Still (in 1999) he recommended tying and soldering on some wheels. Even for track bikes I think that this is now a discredited practice.
I do expect that the Secret Guild of Exalted Spoke Solderers to rise up en masse and will converge on my house with torches made from extra-long seat posts to visit their wrath upon me and my heathen untied spokes. Sigh.

Any of these books will teach you a lot. I'd start with Musson. A second (or alternate first) choice would be Jobst. Schraner's book is useful once you have the first two books under your belt. My 2 cents.
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,657
Likes: 1,119
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Schraner's book "The Art of Wheelbuilding" is also very good. A bit idiosyncratic and counter to some modern wheelbuilding thought, though. Still (in 1999) he recommended tying and soldering on some wheels. Even for track bikes I think that this is now a discredited practice.
I do expect that the Secret Guild of Exalted Spoke Solderers to rise up en masse and will converge on my house with torches made from extra-long seat posts to visit their wrath upon me and my heathen untied spokes. Sigh.
I do expect that the Secret Guild of Exalted Spoke Solderers to rise up en masse and will converge on my house with torches made from extra-long seat posts to visit their wrath upon me and my heathen untied spokes. Sigh.

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