newoldbiker

Feels like I'm about 10,000 hours into this conversion. 20 yr old MTB. Rear wheel is the issue. I got the bike mostly built up and did a test re-spacing of the rear wheel and seems like the chainline will be pretty close (within 1-2mm) and tweaking washer sizes, I could probably get it perfect.

So I sat down to try to start redishing because the wheel was WAY off center (touching the drive side chainstay). Problem was I couldn't move most of the spokes. I had a crappy spokewrench that's on the tip of one of those multi-tool wrenches and they slipped. Naturally I was impatient and (don't kick me off the forum) I grabbed pliers. No dice...just buggered up some of the nipples.

After venting my frustration, I'm trying to decide between rebuilding this wheel reusing the rim and hub (there's nothing wrong with them), building new from scratch, and buying a new one (but I can't find one for less than a zillion dollars). I guess the fourth option would be to work magic on the existing spokes/nipples and see if I can magically redish the wheel that far.

So, my questions:

1) If I reuse the rim and hub, any issues estimating and buying the right size spokes?
2) What's the best way to estimate spoke length given that I can't just measure what I've got (due to how far the hub has to move).
3) Any compelling reason to start from scratch (all new wheel parts) if the rim and hub are ok?

Thanks a ton.

riderx

Rebuilding old rims is a pain. Rarely are they perfect and worth rebuilding to begin with. And a 20 year old rim, even that was top of the line, is going to be trumped by a moderately priced modern rim. If you insist on doing it, you can figure out the ERD to do your spoke calculation by using two long spokes taped together. I personally would not do it.

If the hub is good, dig around and you can find the hub specs, you'll need that for your spoke calculation. You can get a Sun CR18 rim for pretty cheap and it will serve you well.

Better yet, search for a deal on a rear cassette wheel, you don't need a single speed specific one, and just buy one. Unless you already know how to build wheels, have a truing stand and a proper spoke wrench, you will be better off. LBS, Craigslist, local bike club, friends, lots of places you can pick up a suitable used wheel for cheap.

newoldbiker

Thanks riderx. I actually had WAY more success once I got a proper spoke wrench...forget that little stampout at the end of my multi-tool. All the spokes (even the ones I buggered up with pliers) turned fine. I got the hub (or wheel) moved over about 1cm I'd estimate. Chainline isn't perfect, but some of the spokes were getting awfully tight and I was maxed out on the side I had to loosen (without spokes falling out). It's not perfect, but the brake surfaces are pretty much in-plane. Now off to fix why the chain makes crunchy noises going around the cog and chainring. Probably a combo of old chainring, chainline being off ~2mm, and a sticky link in the new chain where it came together.

Thanks!