How hard is it exactly to learn how to build up wheels? I need new front and rear wheels for a fixed gear bike I'm building up and I am debating whether I should just invest in some tools and supplies rather than buy finished wheels. From the article on Sheldon Brown's site, it doesn't seem to be too difficult. Any thoughts on this?

I picked up the "Wheel Building" book back in 1995, read it cover to cover in one day, laced & trued my first front road wheel radially (very easy) the very next day, and built & trued my rear wheel 3-cross the next. I had so much confidence, the following week, I completely rebuilt my tandem wheelset with new hubs. I've been building my owns wheels ever since. Nice thing is they RARELY need to be re-trued. Maybe tweek a spoke or two here and there from time to time.

What you can do, and what I plan to do is to buy a junk bike, and dissasemble the wheels and then re do them. Cheap, easy way to learn.

Yes, one can do that, but also need to really pay attention to the direction of rim eyelets when lacing spokes, for example.... The book also teaches you which and how to lace the 'first set' of spokes, which is very important.....after that the rest of the spokes just fall into place.

I forgot to add that I was going to get a book to read and be guided by.

Trying it on my own, I'd have and eliptical wheel !

And it's good to have that book handy because sometimes I'll go thru several months of not building a single wheel and when it comes to lacing that 'first set' of spokes, I always go back to that one page in the book to make sure I'm still doing it right.

George, is _The Art of Wheelbuilding_ by Gerd Schraner the book you are referring to us here?

Thanks for your advice.

I like the Gerd Schraner book better than the Jobst Brant book. It is easier to follow tho both are good.

Which book? I need a new hobby for the upcoming winter

The Art of Wheel Building ought to do yah for. It's up to date, and easy to read. I saw they had it at overstock.com for 12.95 the other day.

It's more up to date the the book by Jobst Brant.

what tools would you need to build a wheel?

I beleive all you need is a spoke wrench and a truing stand.

Okay-
I suck. Please disregard the multiple quotes I have posted.

165 -- Seems they are recommending The Art of Wheel Buildling. What I have been curious about is how do you get the spokes? Do they come ready to go in different lengths or do you have to make them or what??

My friend had his track wheels built by Gene Spicer (28-spoke Phils and CXP-33s) and the front is laced 1x. I had never seen that before and it is pretty cool looking.. (That's just a by the way.)

-Jason

....and patience.......and beer. (a dishing tool is good to have but you can easily make your own)

I don't remember which book I have.....it's the white hardcovered one. I'll look when I get home tonight.....

I tell my LBS which hubs & rims I have and the spoking pattern I plan on using. Also type and gauge of spokes. They sell me the right lengths. Brass nipples are included with spokes. I let them do the spoke length calculations..... I usually just call ahead of time so they'll be ready.....

I'm gonna have to run into you one of these days George...

Yeah, I hear ya..... I'm near Dodger Stadium in L.A. The majority of my riding is done in the Pasadena area. On occasion I'll take the San Gabriel River path down to Seal Beach, hug the coast all the way down to Laguna Beach, have lunch, and head back up. How about you?

I highly recommend the Art of Wheelbuilding. Excellent book.

As far as spoke lengths, the DT Swiss website has a calculater with most rims and hubs already in. Otherwise, just plug in the numbers for your parts and you are set.

I do a lot of back and forth to work... I take different routes to mix it up a little hear and there.

I'm in a school right now.. so I've been driving to work for the last 3 weeks. Gettin' fat and lazy...

I like riding the 94 from Spring Valley out towards Campo.. REALLY serious hills there. PLENTY hills.

I take the coaster up to LA on occasion, I'm gonna go to Venice sometime soon to hang out there for a while..


Once I get my new cog in, I'll be playing with my converted more probably down town.

I ride up to point loma often.. and have done several fast rides down the strand (coronado to IB) and back.

I'm working on two MTB's from multi to SS. And then I'll play with those.

I was thinking of using my project bike here to learn how to build wheels, but I decided to play it safe with my main set and just drop them off at the shop. I'm getting them tied/soldered too, although from what I read it isn't really worth it.

Perhaps I will get some cheaper practice stuff and learn how to build over the winter..

-Jason

Jason, what rims did you decide on for your Miyata?

Tie and solder makes a stronger wheel but most people are not willing to pay for it. You can feel the difference if you ride them side by side.