Wheel Building

[DeeZee]

[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Well after almost 20 years of Mountain biking I have decided to build my first wheelset. [/FONT][/SIZE]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]I ran across a website a year or so ago and showed you how to build wheels without any special tools (can't remember the site). [/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]This will be for a SS so no dishing tool is needed.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Can anyone recomend a good website to check out?[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Any other thoughts / tips?[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Thanks![/SIZE][/FONT]

[nappyt]

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by nappyt

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

I have looked at the Sheldin Brown site. This other site has you use your chainstays to true a rear wheel etc...

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

I have looked at the Sheldin Brown site. This other site has you use your chainstays to true a rear wheel etc...

Just tape a modified paper clip to the chainstays or seatstays to use as a guide. Do the same on the fork for the front wheel. Simply flip the wheels to check the dishing.

[foofighter]

i've always wanted to learn how to build a wheel...do a clinic doug

[el_d00der1n0]

I spent about 20 bucks for a truing stand, and I like it. IMHO it's a he11 of a lot easier than trying to macguyver the thing.

I haven't been riding 20 years yet, but I'm thinking about building me some wheels too. It would be nice of you to track your work on here with pics & steps & stuff.

Edit: I swear I didn't pay 60 bucks but here's the one I have: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4221

[station]

Sweet. I just bought a whole new back wheel. After replacing 4 spokes ($20 each time) I figured a new wheel would be cheaper than 2 more spokes.

[foofighter]

i fyou have a park tool bike holder you can buy the wheel truer attachement...

[.8down]

there is no sticky in the workshop? that would be awesome. one on tuning would be cool too...

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by foofighter

i've always wanted to learn how to build a wheel...do a clinic doug

Did a google desktop search and nada

I need to find this site. The guy showed so cool stuff. Zip ties on the chainstays / fork....how to lace the wheel...really simple looking.

[nappyt]

Originally Posted by foofighter

i fyou have a park tool bike holder you can buy the wheel truer attachement...

Thats what I want but haven't bought yet. $30

[HUGH]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Well after almost 20 years of Mountain biking I have decided to build my first wheelset. [/FONT][/SIZE]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]I ran across a website a year or so ago and showed you how to build wheels without any special tools (can't remember the site). [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]This will be for a SS so no dishing tool is needed.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Can anyone recomend a good website to check out?[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Any other thoughts / tips?[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Thanks![/SIZE][/FONT]

You are going to love riding wheels that you built on your own!! The Sheldon brown site is prety good. Read through it a few times. I have another book on my computer that I'll copy and get it to ya.
You are still going to need a dishing tool even though its a SS wheel (be it the truing stand and flip flop the wheel or an actual dishing tool). On your first few wheels you will need a lot of patience. If you plan on building your own wheels from now on I say buy the right tools up front!
If you need help let me know. I have all the wheel building tools and then some! I"ll spend an hour or so with you and get you through the first few tensionings. Oh and if you are going to buy a spoke tensioner hit me up first I have an extra one I'll sell you.

HUGH

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

Did a google desktop search and nada

I need to find this site. The guy showed so cool stuff. Zip ties on the chainstays / fork....how to lace the wheel...really simple looking.

Zinn's MTB Maintenance is an excellent book. He has different lacing patterns for every situation disc brakes, SSers, etc. I've been reading the wheel building section just to get an idea.

Also check out the "Spokes Calculator" on DT Swiss' site.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by HUGH

You are going to love riding wheels that you built on your own!! The Sheldon brown site is prety good. Read through it a few times. I have another book on my computer that I'll copy and get it to ya.
You are still going to need a dishing tool even though its a SS wheel (be it the truing stand and flip flop the wheel or an actual dishing tool). On your first few wheels you will need a lot of patience. If you plan on building your own wheels from now on I say buy the right tools up front!
If you need help let me know. I have all the wheel building tools and then some! I"ll spend an hour or so with you and get you through the first few tensionings. Oh and if you are going to buy a spoke tensioner hit me up first I have an extra one I'll sell you.

HUGH

Why do you need to dish a SS wheel if you are using a SS specific hub?

[dubjay]

I started building my own wheels this year. Got about 6 of them done so far. Pretty fun stuff.

Here's another useful site.

http://miketechinfo.com/new-tech-wheels-tires.htm

For spoke calculations, I use DT's spoke calculator.

I have a cheapie $30 truing stand from Performance which does an admirable job. I never did get a dishing tool, but you can just check the dish by flipping the wheel around in the stand. If it the truing thing hits the rim the same way on both sides, your wheel is dished.

And I did invest in Park's wheel tensioning tool - $60 for a little peace of mind.

[atomrat]

What spoke tensioner do you recommend to purchase?

[dubjay]

Originally Posted by atomrat

What spoke tensioner do you recommend to purchase?

For the price, the Park TM-1 can't be beat.

http://www.parktool.com/products/det...16&item=TM%2D1

Originally Posted by DeeZee

Why do you need to dish a SS wheel if you are using a SS specific hub?

Any wheel will still need to be dished (centered) so that the rim will sit in the middle of your dropouts.

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by nappyt

Thats what I want but haven't bought yet. $30

I've used one of those, and I didn't really like it. Too much flex in the system.

I've been building wheels recreationally for more than 25 years. When I was a kid, I would occasionally unlace my wheels so that I could repolish the aluminum hubs (yeah, I was a bit more energetic back then). Anyhow, I've built many wheels using the fork or seatstay gauge method. Only a few years ago I got one of the Park professional truing stands, and I have to say that I really like using it.

Years ago, when I built a lot more wheels, I was good at checking spoke tension by sound. Although I can still do this, I'm not as accurate as I once was. At the same time I got the Park truing stand, I also got a spoke tensionmeter, and other than the spoke wrench, that's my new favorite tool for wheel builds. The wheels stay true for a long time. Although this tool is not required for wheel builds, if you know how to use it properly, it can significantly improve the quality of your wheel builds.

[HUGH]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

Why do you need to dish a SS wheel if you are using a SS specific hub?

When building a wheel you need to make sure that the rim stays in the center of the axle ends. Some wheels have a lot of dish and some wheels have none. You still need to center the rim. You need to check this a few times while tensioning the wheel.

HUGH

[HUGH]

This is my truing stand and some of the tools I use to build my wheels. I truly enjoy building wheels for myself and my friends! I take great pride in the wheels that I build. I don't consider myself a wheel builder but a hobbyist so I can take all the time I need to make great wheels.
I know I can use as little as an old fork, a zip tie, duct tape,bubble gum and a guitar pick but thats just not me. These tools will last me the rest of my life so I say money well spent!!



HUGH