Wheel building, 32h or 36?
#1
Wheel building, 32h or 36?
I am going to attempt to build myself a set of wheels. I dont nkow why, I just want to. Anyways, as im looking at the hubs and rims out htere i see a lot of 32h parts, more tehn 36. I ride pretty much half road and half woods/trail. THe occasional jump. I have a hardtail as well. Would i be better off with a 36 or 32?
#4
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 7,963
Likes: 1
From: Parrish, FL
Bikes: Lots
How much do you weigh???
I'm pretty big and still ride 32h. You can easily build a 32h wheel in a strong fashion.
If you were doing a lot of jumps and downhill runs or really really aggressive riding, I'd suggest a 36h, but for what you've described, go 32h.
L8R
I'm pretty big and still ride 32h. You can easily build a 32h wheel in a strong fashion.
If you were doing a lot of jumps and downhill runs or really really aggressive riding, I'd suggest a 36h, but for what you've described, go 32h.
L8R
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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
#5
Senior Member


Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
Likes: 649
From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Thirty six spoke will cost you between $2.00 and $6.00 more to build depending on what spokes you decide to use. They'll be a little bit easier to true and, if you happen to break one spoke on the road, it will cause less wheel rim wobble.
#7
well im not that heavy (french people tend not to be large). I think im going to go for hte the 36h, I suppose it would be less of a problem if it a spoke broke on the road, sometimes i ride in a fashion that probably isnt the easiest for hte bicycle. Thanks for your input. Does anybody have any tips of the building process?
#8
Older Than Dirt
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: Reidsville, NC
Read the very clear and detailed instructions on Sheldon Brown's site.
Wheelbuilding
Even I can figure it out from this.
Doc
Wheelbuilding
Even I can figure it out from this.
Doc
#10
Year-round cyclist

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 3
From: Montréal (Québec)
I tend to build my wheels with 36 simply because all my wheels have been that way for the last 25 years (and beyond). That way, I can more easily swap parts if I want.
However, there is no real difference in wheelbuilding between 32 and 36. Instead of installing 9 spokes per set, you install 8.
As for front vs rear wheel, no real difference either, except that the front wheel isn't dished, unless you have a disc brake..
However, there is no real difference in wheelbuilding between 32 and 36. Instead of installing 9 spokes per set, you install 8.
As for front vs rear wheel, no real difference either, except that the front wheel isn't dished, unless you have a disc brake..





.....36hole by all means!!
