OK, here it comes....

What exactly is dishing and why would one need a dishing tool ?? I've been through a couple of wheel builds and didn't use a dishing tool out of the lack of owning one, and was still able to build a true wheel. What is exactly the function of a dishing tool ?.

The procedure I used is to tighten the spokes while checking the horizontal and vertical trueness of the wheel, then flip it round on the truing stand to check if the rim is centre of the spindle.

Am I missing something ??

claude

A dishing tool measures how well your rim is centered- PRECISLY, the method you use will get you close.

Some more advanced frames have the rear triangle offset to one side. The wheel is built assymetrically, with less dish. You need a dishing tool to build up these wheels.

It makes wheelbuilding in a shop a lot quicker.

so,

(please bear in mind I've never seen a dishing tool in my life!)

basically a dishing tool's function is to measure wheel offset (or the lack of it) accurately ... ?

OK, as an only semi-literate neophyte, let me try to explain it as I understand it.

Picture your rear wheel from the rear. On the left (non-drive) side, the flange with the spoke hole is out close to the end of the axle where it fits in the dropout. On the right (drive) side the flange is inboard of the freehub body or freewheel. That is, not out on the end of the axle near the dropout like on the non-drive side but closer to the center of the axle. So unlike the front wheel, the rim is not centered between the flanges but it must be centered between the dropouts. The spokes must therefore have more angle out toward the non-drive side flange and come closer to straight up and down on the drive side in order to get the rim centered. Now, you probably know all that already since you have built wheels so forgive me for stating the obvious. From what I have read on wheel building a dishing tool should probably be called a centering tool. Its purpose is to make sure the rim is centered regardless of the dish (offset) of the spokes. Any accurate way of centering will work. The dishing tool just makes it a little quicker to accomplish and possibly more precise as someone (Pat?) noted.
Steve and Pat, correct me if I am wrong. I only reply on these things to try to give a complete beginner's level explanation as I understand it. Sometimes I have to read about something in several different sources or have it explained by several different people before I feel like I have a fairly accurate understanding. So I am just trying to help flesh out the picture for Claude.
Regards,
Raymond

Hi Claude!!!

Where in Malta are you matey??? My girlfriend's family come from Valetta under the Surname Vella...

It's a long shot but have you heard of them???

Keep biking!!!

Rich

Rainman, thanks for your explanation. It is now clear :)

Rich!, I wondered if the people in this forum actually knew where Malta is - let alone having a girlfriend from the island! Well the surname Vella is very common around the island, many families that are not related to each other bear the same surname over here. If ever you're around, please let me know - we could go on a bike ride round the island. Have you ever visited before ??

claude

Hi Claude,

Yep, I'm coming over in early August to your wonderful island...we'll be in Valetta for two weeks....If my girlfriend will let me, maybe we could go out for a spin on the bikes....!!!

I'll let you know the dates a little closer to the time...

Cheers

:dance: Rich :dance:

just let me know :)

claude