Spoke Length Calculator
#1
Spoke Length Calculator
So I was looking for another calculator to check if I screwed up with Sheldon Brown's and I came across this one. Really easy to use. And fortunately for me it gave the same results. 
At any rate if you need one give it a try
https://www.kstoerz.com/freespoke/
At any rate if you need one give it a try
https://www.kstoerz.com/freespoke/
#3
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 909
From: So Cal, for now
Bikes: 1974 Bob Jackson - Nuovo Record, Brooks Pro, Clips & Straps
So I was looking for another calculator to check if I screwed up with Sheldon Brown's and I came across this one. Really easy to use. And fortunately for me it gave the same results. 
At any rate if you need one give it a try
https://www.kstoerz.com/freespoke/
At any rate if you need one give it a try
https://www.kstoerz.com/freespoke/
Unfortunately, they don't seem to have in their database the Campagnolo Nuovo Record high flange hubs with the vintage 120 mm OLD rear or the 100 mm front.
These truly C&V hubs plus a pair of Velo Orange PBP rims are sitting out in the garage awaiting use. The wheels I am using are 40 years old with a HUGE number of miles on them (100,000 miles?).
Maybe I should try Sheldon Brown's site.
#5
Edd is also good for vintage wheelbuilds
__________________
72 Frejus (for sale), Holdsworth Record (for sale), special CNC & Gitane Interclub / 74 Italvega NR (for sale) / c80 French / 82 Raleigh Intl MkII f&f (for sale)/ 83 Trek 620 (for sale)/ 84 Bruce Gordon Chinook (for sale)/ 85 Ron Cooper / 87 Centurion IM MV (for sale) / 03 Casati Dardo / 08 BF IRO / 09 Dogma FPX / 09 Giant TCX0 / 10 Vassago Fisticuff
72 Frejus (for sale), Holdsworth Record (for sale), special CNC & Gitane Interclub / 74 Italvega NR (for sale) / c80 French / 82 Raleigh Intl MkII f&f (for sale)/ 83 Trek 620 (for sale)/ 84 Bruce Gordon Chinook (for sale)/ 85 Ron Cooper / 87 Centurion IM MV (for sale) / 03 Casati Dardo / 08 BF IRO / 09 Dogma FPX / 09 Giant TCX0 / 10 Vassago Fisticuff
#7
Senior Member


Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,497
Likes: 244
From: Southern Maryland
Bikes: A few
#8
I’ll use the databases in these apps for reference but I’ve learned from many folks on these boards to always use my own measurements. In my experience, it is not uncommon to be 1 or 2 mm off from the app’s database. I’ve also seen database specs that are totally whacked.
#9
OTOH, I have not had a problem ever. I simply round any decimal up, even .1 to the next whole number. Anything less than 1.0mm too long is not a going to be a problem.
Spocalc simply works. TabA / SlotB
Spocalc simply works. TabA / SlotB
Last edited by Steel Charlie; 11-07-25 at 07:45 PM.
#10
Senior Member


Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 1,042
From: Toledo Ohio
Bikes: 1964 Huffy Sportsman, 1972 Fuji Newest, 1973 Schwinn Super Sport (3), 1982 Trek 412, 1983 Trek 700, 1989 Miyata 1000LT, 1991 Bianchi Boardwalk, plus others
As an aside, 90% of the old bikes I purchase or work on have spokes 2mm or more too short, sometimes way short. I’m not recommending it, but just a data point. I will admit I don’t travel in the rare high end classic bike circle.
#12
Senior Member


Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 1,042
From: Toledo Ohio
Bikes: 1964 Huffy Sportsman, 1972 Fuji Newest, 1973 Schwinn Super Sport (3), 1982 Trek 412, 1983 Trek 700, 1989 Miyata 1000LT, 1991 Bianchi Boardwalk, plus others
I know, and I strive to get them right too. Often it seems that the whole bike was built with the same spoke length. I’ve seen it often enough that I wondered if it was an acceptable way to do things in the 60s and 70s. To the original question, I like that Leonard’s Spokecalc site although it doesn’t have many of the early Weinmann rims that were so common in the 70s.
#13
Crawlin' up, flyin' down


Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,718
Likes: 4,352
From: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley
Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.
Unfortunately, they don't seem to have in their database the Campagnolo Nuovo Record high flange hubs with the vintage 120 mm OLD rear or the 100 mm front.
These truly C&V hubs plus a pair of Velo Orange PBP rims are sitting out in the garage awaiting use. The wheels I am using are 40 years old with a HUGE number of miles on them (100,000 miles?).
Maybe I should try Sheldon Brown's site.
These truly C&V hubs plus a pair of Velo Orange PBP rims are sitting out in the garage awaiting use. The wheels I am using are 40 years old with a HUGE number of miles on them (100,000 miles?).
Maybe I should try Sheldon Brown's site.
__________________
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
#14
Wheelman
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 1,632
Likes: 1,592
From: Putney, London UK
Bikes: 1982 Holdsworth Avanti (531), 1961 Holdsworth Cyclone, 1953 Holdsworth Whirlwind
I've been using the Roger Musson calculator at https://www.wheelpro.co.uk/
I started wheelbuilding using a pirate copy of "Wheel Building" by Roger Musson.
Decided I liked it a lot and paid the money, so now I can use his calculator (which was free when I started).
The bit that convinced me was
1) It agrees with other calculators
2) I've built about 8 wheels and they all worked
3) If you hit the "Log" tab it explains the calculation
eg.

I started wheelbuilding using a pirate copy of "Wheel Building" by Roger Musson.
Decided I liked it a lot and paid the money, so now I can use his calculator (which was free when I started).
The bit that convinced me was
1) It agrees with other calculators
2) I've built about 8 wheels and they all worked
3) If you hit the "Log" tab it explains the calculation
eg.










