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Any recommendations south of the M4? Bit more time on my hands at the moment and I'd like to get some skills improvements - I can true buckled wheels with my trusty spoke key and replace busted spokes etc but I'd like to do whole wheels from scratch. I've got the Wheelpro book and I think I'll be okay but still a bit daunted so wouldn't mind some tips/advice from someone more experienced to help me get started. Google shows plenty of courses advertised for 1 or 2 days at widely varying costs but can't beat recommendations....know anyone good? Cheers
Seriously - have a crack at it yourself. It's easier than you think !
Seriously - have a crack at it yourself. It's easier than you think !
+1
Sheldon brown guide
Truing stand
Tension gauge (it makes life easier than guessing)
Tube of grease (or threadlock, or whatever your lubing the threads with).
Some bits.
Even if you completely mess it up, you've not lost anything, and can either start again or book yourself on a course where you'd have to buy the bits anyway.
Cheap spokes (and rims/hubs) on the Rose bikes website. Be aware that they don't come with nipples, and check what length nipples your calculator assumes.
I had a crack at it, maybe that's why my 26" wheels are better than my new 650b ones
Get this
http://www.wheelpro.co.uk/wheelbuilding/book.php
Then have a go. Everything you need to know is in that book
Sheldon brown guide
+1. Built my first one from spare bits 20 years ago. Been building em since. Not rocket science and easy to pick up from book/reading.
Agree with others comments - it seems a but daunting but once you build your first wheel you wonder what the fuss is about.
The hardest part for me is making sure I get the correct spoke length/can trust the numbers for hub and rim.
Not sure how there can be books about it, I just used the two pager from Sheldon for first wheel.
+1 for the wheelpro on-line PDF.
Straightforward and surprisingly relaxing.
Can't really go to far wrong, even plans to build your own truing stand.
Keith at Perfect Balance Cycles will give you tips and show how to do it for a beer or 2 I'm sure!
+1 for getting the Wheelpro book and getting stuck in. Although if someone nice wants to show you, that would be good too. You'll still want the book, though!
Straightforward and surprisingly relaxing
It is if you follow the instructions! 😀
Can be frustrating if you skim, think "Yeah, I've got this!" then have to start again because you were careless somewhere. For the third time. It can be a bit like [url= http://kellycordes.com/2009/11/02/the-fun-scale/ ]Type II Fun[/url] to start off with.
I've built a few, and found it very satisfying. Both to have made something, but also, it feels good to gain control over more of your bike, if you know what I mean? you don't need to rely on "recommendations for a good wheelbuilder in the x area" Want a new wheel that's a bit different? Want a new rim on an old hub? Order the bits you need and get on with it.
Do it - it's very rewarding.
I'll have a go but might bribe Keith at Perfect Balance with beer first, or probably after, to check and offer advice on handiwork (thanks Ciderinsport)
Is it actually cost effective to build your own wheels? or is it more something that you can look back on and say I built them?
I only got shown how to do it once in the space of 10 minutes. I've built countless wheels since. There is no black art to it. It really is disappointingly straight forward. With modern rims being so stiff, its very difficult to create a problem you cannot undo. Just get the parts, find an online guide and take your time.
Roll for the Soul in Bristol do wheel building courses. Bristol is south of the M4.
Is it actually cost effective to build your own wheels?
Definitely. Key reason for doing it. Unless you spunk loads on fancy wheel jigs and tensiometers and spoke thread rolling tools.
Is it actually cost effective to build your own wheels?
Well..that depends on what your hourly rate would normally be set at, wouldn't it.
However, "is it worth it" is a different question - lots of things may not be financially worth it, but the 'cost' of satisfaction and 'internet man points' can't really be bought with monies...
DrP