I found the old thread, it's 2 years old. So, I'm starting a new one.


Should I buy a complete wheelset, or build my own?

Addendum: This would be my first wheel build, ever.

build..!!

It depends. If you want a really nice lightweight wheelset for your new Little Wing, I'd say no and let Scrod build them for you. I'd recommend building an economy wheelset with regular round spokes and a higher spoke count on your first try to get the hang of things.

I agree with the old fella!

Buy so that you can spend the time riding.

IME you don't want to build your first wheels from good stuff for a bike that you are exited about and are planning to do lots of trouble free miles on. Disappointment looms.

Recommendation: Acquire a rim, front hub and spokes. Even if you buy new, you can spend next to nothing if you buy bottom end generic junk. Nashbar has ~$5.00 hubs for example.

Build the wheel. Don't use it.

Disassemble the wheel and then build it again.

Repeat this process until you stop experiencing "Ah ha" learning moments. Like many other crafts there is a learning curve. Spoke wind up, stress relieving, proper tension, even tension, are all "Braille" skills that only come by doing. Once you believe you've got it down, go for it with the good parts.

The benefits to doing it this way are many. There is no rush to finish because it's just a training exercise. Lacing mistake at first shot? Ah ha! Who cares. Start over. Scratching the rim? Who cares. First attempt at truing is a cluster****? Who cares. Start over. Waited too long to remove the hop? Who cares. Start over.

Good luck.

Well, I have an old 105/OpenPro wheel in my closet I could take apart and rebuild a few times. It's worthless as a wheel because the hub's bearing races are shot and the rim is almost worn through from the brakes.

I own a Park wheel stand and I already true my own wheels. My commuter wheels have rolled straight and true for a couple years since I last adjusted them. (don't ask about the crappy wheels on my Fuji, though)

Well ignore my post then. All you have to do is learn the lacing. And that's the easiest part. You are already set.

Should I turn my SS into a one-by? I have a 6sp freewheel laying around and I was thinking I'd look for an old Campy RD to match my C-Record hubs.

I'd do it

That bike would be pretty cool as a 1x6. Looks like you already have the shift lever. Find a derailler on Fleabay or at your local co-op and do it!

Should I finally really toss out my old Vilano frameset that I stripped down nearly two years ago, but kept in a frame shipping box instead of actually discarding it as I had intended ? I'm trying to clean up my house from all the clutter and large boxes, so If I don't toss the Vilano it would probably end up in the attic, but I just can't see ever doing anything with it again. Not only is it a total POS, but it is too big for me, and I have other less crappy bikes that I can use for occasional lockup duty. Please give me the courage and moral support to finally do this.

post it for free on craigslist.

This. Or join that site next-door and post that you left in on the curb.

Or donate it to a bike kitchen/ co-op.

Well, I've chosen a 3-part solution. I placed the empty box at the curb for tomorrow's trash pickup. I've repurposed the fork as a leverage tool for prying roots, raising heavy objects etc. I cut off a piece of the steerer to recover the star nut and capped the end with a plastic plug. The frame now resides in the attic until I decide its final fate. If I do place it on the curb someone will definitely pick it up to sell as scrap metal, so it will in some small way benefit someone. The are no bike kitchens or coops near where I live, and I seriously doubt any of the locals would have any use for it. One idea is to put the seatpost and saddle back on it and use it as a work stool. Ingenious, huh !

Edit. What do you guys think ? I mean, how could I toss the Vilano with its two dope BFSSFG stickers ?

https://m.imgur.com/a/ep5MV

Maybe I should start a new company named Vilano Steel Bike Furniture, LLC.

I'm not trying to be callous but I'm not leaving a house full of crap for my children to have to clean up after I'm gone.

My grandfather lived through the great depression and never threw away anything. Piles of aluminum foil, chemicals that hazmat had to come take away. It was a huge ordeal and no small expense for my father.

So yeah, get rid of it. Give it to someone who needs it or can use the scrap money.

Clearly you are onto something!

What do you think ?

https://m.imgur.com/a/Qp1Go

You need to increase the O.L.D. a bit for more stability. (especially if you intend to combine that thing with alcohol)

How did you remove the tubes?

Hacksaw

Not really, since my feet are firmly planted on the ground unlike a barstool. I really have to try very hard to fall off this thing. Also, I will be using this at my workbench, and I never drink alcohol when working with tools.

I also never drink tools when I am working with alcohol ; )

Cool stool Tejano!