Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Wheel building book.

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Wheel building book.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-03-19 | 04:44 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Wheel building book.

I’m looking for recommendations for a good book on wheel building and maintenance. I don’t care if it covers all maintenance as long it has a comprehensive section on wheels. Many thanks
Russ498 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-03-19 | 04:59 PM
  #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.
HillRider is offline  
Reply
Old 06-03-19 | 05:19 PM
  #3  
Bill Kapaun's Avatar
Really Old Senior Member
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
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".
Bill Kapaun is online now  
Reply
Old 06-03-19 | 06:55 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 548
I have never used anything other than the few pages dedicated to wheel building in Effective Cycling.
Rick is offline  
Reply
Old 06-03-19 | 10:17 PM
  #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 T is offline  
Reply
Old 06-04-19 | 05:52 AM
  #6  
mixteup's Avatar
Full Member
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 390
Likes: 66
From: NW Florida

Bikes: A Few

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
mixteup is offline  
Reply
Old 06-04-19 | 09:14 AM
  #7  
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast

Bikes: 8

On my bookshelf is "building bicycle wheels" by Robert Wright, copyright 1977, cost: $ 1.95 BITD..
fietsbob is offline  
Reply
Old 06-04-19 | 10:57 AM
  #8  
Moe Zhoost's Avatar
Half way there
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,967
Likes: 895
From: North Carolina

Bikes: Many, and the list changes frequently

Originally Posted by HillRider
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.
My copy of Jobst's book is well worn. I refer to it on all of my wheel builds. I recommend it highly.
Moe Zhoost is offline  
Reply
Old 06-04-19 | 11:31 AM
  #9  
ted_major's Avatar
Junior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 143
Likes: 32
From: Birmingham, Ala.
Originally Posted by mixteup
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
+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.
ted_major is offline  
Reply
Old 06-05-19 | 04:35 AM
  #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.
co_rouleur is offline  
Reply
Old 08-16-20 | 05:43 PM
  #11  
holytrousers's Avatar
hoppipola
 
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 424
Likes: 229

Bikes: fausto coppi

Originally Posted by Mark_K
And please advise a good book for self-development?
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
holytrousers is offline  
Reply
Old 08-16-20 | 07:32 PM
  #12  
Clark W. Griswold
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
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

Originally Posted by hazetguy
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.
I have it on my Smart Cellular Telephone, it is freakin' great and cool to see some of the older tech. I would love a physical copy signed by old Gerdy himself but like you not going to pay money when I have it free on my phone with a few minor errors that are easy enough to correct for when reading (unless maybe you have a different ability that would cause reading issues)
veganbikes is offline  
Reply
Old 08-16-20 | 07:58 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
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/ .
cpach is offline  
Reply
Old 08-16-20 | 08:28 PM
  #14  
79pmooney's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
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

Originally Posted by fietsbob
On my bookshelf is "building bicycle wheels" by Robert Wright, copyright 1977, cost: $ 1.95 BITD..
"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.)
79pmooney is offline  
Reply
Old 08-17-20 | 07:16 AM
  #15  
Bike Gremlin's Avatar
Mostly harmless ™
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,462
Likes: 243
From: Novi Sad

Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters

Originally Posted by ted_major
+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.
Exactly my thoughts.
Mussons to learn what to do and how, Brandt's book to learn/understand why it's done that way.
Bike Gremlin is offline  
Reply
Old 08-17-20 | 07:32 AM
  #16  
WizardOfBoz's Avatar
Generally bewildered
10 Anniversary
 
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.
WizardOfBoz is offline  
Reply
Old 08-17-20 | 07:44 AM
  #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!

Originally Posted by WizardOfBoz
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.
When they arrive you can send them to my house too. In 1981 Brandt's book reported his measurements of tied and soldered wheels showed no significant change in tangential or lateral stability from untied spokes and he pretty much said it was a waste of time.
HillRider is offline  
Reply
Old 08-17-20 | 10:41 AM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,660
Likes: 177
J have both the Brandt and Schraener books. I like the spoking method in Gerd's book. For hub maintenance you can use Park's site or the manufacturers.
davidad is offline  
Reply
Old 08-17-20 | 04:09 PM
  #19  
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: Newcastle

Bikes: Velosolex

Thanks

Thanks for some good suggestions will book a few via the library.
Wee man1 is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
calstar
Bicycle Mechanics
63
05-25-18 12:55 AM
matthewayres
Bicycle Mechanics
10
12-31-13 02:09 PM
Hendo252
Bicycle Mechanics
25
11-25-13 03:16 PM
canyoneagle
Bicycle Mechanics
0
11-27-12 11:30 PM
Doug5150
General Cycling Discussion
7
12-28-10 10:00 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.