...any helpful tips for a wheelbuilding n00b please? 😯
sit down with a beer and enough time not to rush
2nd that..... Just take your time and they will come out a treat! As soon as you rush you will have egg shaped wheels. Good Luck
get the lacing done whilst sitting in the sofa, if you have got the spoke lengths right, then spin the nippled on the same about and you wheel will be quite even/dished etc before you start the tensioning - lube the spoke threads
Beer and a nice relax...sounds good so far :-).
Good choice of book Mark, I've got the same and found it really useful. Lots of good tips in there - like having a roll of tape to hand so you can mark where you're got to in a particular sequence when you get the inevitable disruption from the phone/kids/avon lady at the door etc. I also just made the jig and associated gauges using the plans in the book - works fine.
What are you doing first - building up a new wheel from scratch, or building a new hub using existing rim and spokes? Remeber that drive and non-drive spokes on a rear wheel will be different lengths, so keep them in separate piles!
Obvious stuff really - read it through a couple of times before attempting anything!
Cheers Adam, yes the book appears to be very clearly written, which is rather essential in my case! I've got some old hope xc/717 wheels gathering dust that I was going to deconstruct and hopefully recycle the rims & hubs for learning purposes. Do you think it's likely that the spokes will be suitable for re-use?
Oh, and is a dishing guage necessary/valuable? Cheers!
Spokes should be fine so long as they're not (rear drive-side) scored from the chain dropping over the back of the cassette, or obviously bent etc. I'd replace any that look obviously damaged, or if the nipple's binded to the spoke thread etc.
Dishing gauge is definitely useful, particularly for the rear wheel as the rim needs to be centred over the middle of the axle, rather than the middle of the hub. I made one from the plans in the book - using cardboard and a suitably pointy thing. Does the job.
Oh, and on the 1x9 question - n-stop guide and bash is working fine on my pace - i'll bring it out on the next ride so you can check it out.
Super, thanks! Received an n-stop in the mail today 😀 ...definitely looks like the best solution. Should be out Tuesday night. Cheers!
Dishing gauge is definitely useful, particularly for the rear wheel as the rim needs to be centred over the middle of the axle, rather than the middle of the hub. I made one from the plans in the book - using cardboard and a suitably pointy thing. Does the job.
also applies from front hub due to the disc which also requires a slight dish..
i made a mod to that tool should be in the next book as author liked it.
basically attach a spoke to centre with zip ties - easier than hold a ruler etc as it stays put and the hook end of a spoke goes round the QR
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I can only agree with the sentiments expressed elsewhere here - the best thing is to sit down, have a pint or whatever and just relax.
A good quality spoke key is essential, I use one of those large plastic disc keys which grip the nipple on all sides.
Make sure you're not building a set of wheels with the aim to race on them the next day otherwise disaster will ensue.
Take your time and make small adjustments. It's easy really if you are patient.