considering getting/building a new set of wheels (tubular).

Question, should I build them myself? I've done a fair amount wrenching, and I've trued wheels on a buddy's stand. I replaced the rim on my son's 16inch wheel by taping the new rim to the old and moving the spokes over in order. A symmetric spoked wheel on a bike for a 50lb kid, I figured didn't have to be perfect. I think I'm fastidious enough to read up on the process, follow instructions and work carefully.

My concern is that I want to build a high quality set of wheels and by the time I acquire the hubs, rims and spokes I'll be >$400 into the build. I have access to a truing stand and dishing stick. I wouldn't mind learning a new skill. But I don't want to end up with an inferior set of wheels by not building / tensioning properly. Is my first set of handmade wheels likely to be less than perfect? Should I build a test set first somehow? I don't have the parts or need to do so. Maybe I could volunteer to build a set at my local co-op bike donor LBS. Or if I'm careful is there no reason I can't build a great set of wheels from the get go? Should I just find an experience wheel builder and pay him?

In the first paragraph you offer lots of justification for a "yes, go ahead and build", then in the second you express concerns.

At some point you have to decide for yourself, and we can't do it for you.

If you have confidence in your basic skills, and are willing and able to work patiently and carefully you should be able to build a decent pair of wheels. Will they be great wheels? Probably not, but they should be serviceable wheels.

My advice, go ahead. Build the front wheel first, this can be the practice wheel. Then build the rear.

Read some tutorials and some of the threads here where good advice and tips were offered, then take it slow and easy.

Why not give it a shot? If it works out, great, you have a new skill. If not you are unlikely to damage anything irreparably and you can always ask for help if you get stuck. You don't have much to lose but your time.

Just do it! FBinNY can do it. Hell, I can do it. How hard can it be?

Here's a warning: Once you build your first pair you'll probably want to keep building wheels. Mrs. Grouch calls it "knitting for men".

My first set remains my best set, because I paid attention at every step. I highly recommend you try it.

This is so true. I built my first set of wheels about four years ago, and since then I've managed to find excuses to build five more sets. It's one of the first things I want to do when I get a new bike now.

I was nervous about the quality of my first set. I spent hours obsessing over the spoke tension and truing and still didn't get it perfect. Eventually I had to put them on the road. Since then I've put about 6000 miles on them, including some mountain bike racing. They've held up great. The only problem I've had was when I managed to put my chain into the rear spokes (chain too short + big/big gears = bad). Even then, with one cut spoke and a bunch more damaged, the wheel held enough to get me to work and back home (it helped that it's a disc brake wheel).

The biggest upside to building your own wheels is that you get free lifetime ride-along support from the wheel builder.

So true.

I had a lot of angst when I built my first set but there is plenty of material on the web to guide you. My first set is holding up fine so far and wheelbuilding makes a great winter hobby. It is not rocket science and I think you will find it enjoyable building your own set.

You sound like a careful, methodical guy with the right tools and good mechanical sympathy. You should definitely be able to build a good wheelset. I just wouldn't start with a very old, very used, or superlight rim.

Jump in, it's fun.

My first was out of dish and had a couple of flat spots. Was nice and true though!

It is fun. You won't build perfect the first time, probably not the second or third, this is something that just takes practice. It is fun and satisfying when you finish a wheel though, even if it isn't perfect. You'll learn from your mistakes and the next wheel will be better. You will eventually be able to build good reliable wheels but you can only do that if you take the plunge and just do it.

My first wheel (built without a tension meter) averaged 110kgf +9, -5% except at the bend which had me replacing it 12-13 years later without intervening truing apart from the roadside adjustments which wouldn't stick due to the two slack spots from the bend.

Jobst Brandt tested his book _The Bicycle Wheel_ by having his grade-school sons each build a pair of wheels without any other help.

It's not rocket science - about as technically challenging as adjusting front derailleurs, but a lot more time consuming because you have more interacting parts to deal with.

thanks everybody. Ok well that's pretty much unanimous for go for it. Question: do you need a spoke tension gauge? That's one tool I don't have and don't know if I can borrow.

NO

but rest assured that at least one person will respond saying you do.

Quit that! We are going to have to start a "Warm Hell" campaign if you continue to say things that I agree with!

I actually have a Wheelsmith tension gauge and find it to be mostly useless. I have access to a Park and find the same thing, although the Park is a bit easier to use. I check tension by ear and have very good luck with that. I'm not talking about a specific note on a scale but it's easy to hear if a spoke is sharp (too tight) or flat (too loose) by simply striking the spoke. I use the spoke wrench but a screwdriver works just as well.

That's rich. Can I bring the gear out of the shed and pluck away at spokes while sipping my malted beverage? Wife can hang out and read or watch something on her iPad...

It's reversible right? If I eff it up I can always start over again, or if I'm really struggling bring it to a wheelbuilder.

Yep, nothing more relaxing than spinning, turning, then plucking spokes to pass the afternoon. It's your first time so it's going to take a while, having someone to talk to makes it more enjoyable. If you mess up, consider that as a learning experience and start again.

Most of the time, I build wheels in the family room or out in the yard so I can relax. The truing stand is heavy though.

Just don't try it drunk. It won't go very well.