Building your own wheel.

[dyogim]

I've been needing to change out my rear wheel for sometime. Running a Shimano XT disc hub, 8 ring gears, mounted on a Rhyno lite wheel (non TCB). The wheel has been out of true for some time and while on the trail, banging it on the ground to straighten only works so many times. I was able to score my old Mavic D321 wheel (32 hole) from a friend. I let him have it a few years ago but, he never used so, he gave it back.

Purchased my nipples and spokes from go-ride.com. Used the spoke caluculator found on dtswiss.com: http://www.dtswiss.com/SpokesCalc/Calculator.aspx

Laced up my rear wheel using the 3 interlace pattern, got it as true as possible and I'm set. I used Sheldon Brown's instructions to set it all up. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

Anyone else build their own wheel(s)? Local shops wanted at least $50 for labor only. I used the $50 to buy other goodies.

 

[Cackalak Han]

I need to do this, too. 1speed recommended this book:

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_116551_-1_200284_200279_200422

I need/want to build up 29er wheels.

 

[1speed]

I started building wheels a few years ago. I build all my own wheels as well as for my friends and for a few local bike shops. I find it very relaxing and rewarding. I started because I weigh 215lbs and couldn't find a reasonably light wheel-set that would hold up. The wheels come out the same in the end but I do like the method in this book best. http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_116551_-1_200284_200279_200422 I can build them faster with less thought since you don't have to "clock" the hub during the build process. I charge $40 a wheel normally and it takes me about 1 hour per wheel start to finish..

 

[1speed]

I need to do this, too. 1speed recommended this book:

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_116551_-1_200284_200279_200422

I need/want to build up 29er wheels.

Hope Pro2 hubs, Velocity Blunt rims, DT Swiss Supercomp spokes and alloy nipples. Not cheap, but light for a 29'er wheelset and virtually bulletproof. And don't forget the Wheelsmith Spoke Prep.

EDIT-Almost forgot-32 spoke 3 cross.

 

[RHINO]

i always had trouble with wheelsets, if it wasnt bent rims or busted spokes it was sheared teeth in the rear hubs. so, i learned to build wheels, my first set was built around DT HUGI hubs and what a great set that was.

building your own wheels is great, i say go for it.

 

[EricWS]

Wheel building, is there any better mechanical task to do? I love it! I have built at least 20 sets so far! Chris King and Mavic!

EwS

 

[thecriscokid]

I built my first wheel around the age of 11 or 12...
I really wanted a red rim and quick release hub on my BMX bike. I took apart my sisters road bike wheel, stole that hub and took the rear coaster brake out of the red wheel. I ended up having a pile of spokes from 3 different wheels and about a week later I had a 3 cross wheel. Somehow it worked and held up to kid abuse for years. I loved that red anodized wheel, I wish I still had that.

Got a job at a bike shop at 14 and have built my wheels and plenty others since. Good fun

 

[DiploStrat]

Built and trued lots of 'em. But sadly, haven't been on a bike seriously in almost ten years. More than a little out of practice.