wheel building
 

I'm looking into building wheels for my fixed gear.

What's a good recommendation for spoke count and pattern and why?

Are you heavy or want to trick? If so 36 hole. If not 32 will do the trick. I like radial fronts and three cross rears.

i'm only 160 and i'm not going to trick very much.

32 count would probably be fine then. As for spoke patterns I really don't know.

32 hole with good 'ol 3 cross is the best if you want a relatively maintenance free build; quite "bombproof" if you just do regular riding

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...2&d=1310859598

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...1&d=1310859598

I built a 32h hybrid crow's foot the other day and it was relatively hard to lace at first but then smooth sailing once I figured out the proper steps. I have yet to lace the back wheel because I need to find a tire to fit the CR-18.

Looks great! What's the hub?

Old Novatec with a bolt-on skewer.

32 3 cross would be bombproof and a good learning experience... crow's foot lacing is awesome but does take a little more know how and experience for most.

Crows foot also requires two different spoke legenths for the same wheel.

I built my first wheels a few months ago. I went with 32 3x for both front and back. The reasoning was that it's strong, reliable, and there are lots of resources to see how to do it. I built my own truing stand to do it also and my wheels are as true as anything out there. Best advice I've got is to step back and look at it from a few feet away if you get frustrated...that's when you'll see that you're one hole off...haha.

i did a three leading - three trailing lace on my front wheel. I haven't had to true it in 2 years i don't think. Same spoke length as 3 cross too, which makes it easy. You can see it in my sig

http://spokeanwheel.110mb.com/lacingcl.htm

This is great guide for patterns. Has lot of ideas and info. At 160lbs I'd say look for 28-36 hole rear depending on pattern and 20-28 hole front again depending on pattern. Good ratio is 4 less spokes in front than in rear, although if they are the same it doesn't matter.