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Built my first wheel

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  • 07-08-2008 10:19pm
    #1
    penexpers
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,038 ✭✭✭


    Built my first wheel tonight. From start to finish took about 2 1/2 hours (needs to be tensioned though). Specs of the wheel are

    Hub : Shimano DN-3D70 (generator hub)
    Spokes : DT Champion
    Rim : Mavin EN321 Disc

    I used the book written by Roger Musson which I found to be excellent. It took away alot of the bull**** that's around wheelbuilding and has some good ideas as to what you can use as tools (including a guide to building a good truing stand and using cotton swabs as nipple drivers).


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    #2
    blorg
    Registered Users Posts: 15,989 ✭✭✭✭blorg


    Needs photos!


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    #3
    stuf
    Registered Users Posts: 578 ✭✭✭stuf


    out of interest for a man who's just about to build his fixie wheels and has a pair of superfluous open sport rims which might just go for wheels for the normal bike:
    • where did you get your spokes?
    • how much did you pay for them?
    • what truing stand did you use?
    • have you got a big silly grin on your face and think you're the dogs?


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    #4
    penexpers
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,038 ✭✭✭penexpers


    stuf wrote: »
    out of interest for a man who's just about to build his fixie wheels and has a pair of superfluous open sport rims which might just go for wheels for the normal bike:
    • where did you get your spokes?
    • how much did you pay for them?
    • what truing stand did you use?
    • have you got a big silly grin on your face and think you're the dogs?

    Pictures to come!

    I got my spokes in my LBS here in Newbridge. I paid 60 cent per spoke. I don't have a truing stand but I'll use the wheel in fork method. As for the big silly grin, well, not yet :) Maybe when I start riding it :)


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    #5
    kenmc
    Registered Users Posts: 7,276 ✭✭✭kenmc


    more questions....
    what lacing pattern(s?) did you use?
    how did you determine the spoke length you needed?


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    #6
    stuf
    Registered Users Posts: 578 ✭✭✭stuf


    Here's a few spoke calculators:

    http://www.dtswiss.com/SpokesCalc/Welcome.aspx?language=en updated to get English version
    http://www.tech-mavic.com/tech-mavic/uk/calcul.htm (For Mavic rims only - Firefox sometimes doesn't work with this page)
    http://mach1.fr/uk_machines/pages/calculator.php (For MACH rims only)
    http://sheldonbrown.com/rinard/spocalc.htm
    http://www.wheelpro.co.uk/spokecalc/


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    #7
    flickerx
    Registered Users Posts: 1,234 ✭✭✭flickerx


    kenmc wrote: »
    more questions....
    what lacing pattern(s?) did you use?
    how did you determine the spoke length you needed?

    when i built a front wheel i used a cross 3 pattern. i determined the spoke length i needed by asking the guy in the shop i was buying them in :o
    it took time, i made mistakes but eventually got it all perfect.
    but i didnt have a truing stand. so when i tightened it all up by feel and touch, there was a slight kink in it. had to get it straightened out by the shop for 15 yo yos. bah.

    wez, still waiting on the photos of your self-built truing stand - PM me if you want me to host them for you.


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    #8
    penexpers
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,038 ✭✭✭penexpers


    kenmc wrote: »
    more questions....
    what lacing pattern(s?) did you use?
    how did you determine the spoke length you needed?

    For 36 holes, I think you have to use three cross. 32 holes can be two or three cross.

    Length was determined using the calculators above, I think I took my final measurements off wheelpro.co.uk, but it's worth trying them all


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    #9
    cantalach
    Registered Users Posts: 1,937 ✭✭✭cantalach


    blorg wrote: »
    Needs photos!

    And a time-lapse movie with a Kraftwerk backing track!


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    #10
    Itsfixed
    Registered Users Posts: 564 ✭✭✭Itsfixed


    I've built three wheels so far. Its very satisfying when you get it right.

    I used Sheldon Brown's website for the wheelbuilding. Its so well explained, a five year could do it. OK, well a 10 year old then....

    I used a three cross pattern for all three jobs. Seems the way to do it.


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    #11
    stuf
    Registered Users Posts: 578 ✭✭✭stuf


    just built my first one.

    Mavic A719 rims
    DT Swiss Competition Spokes
    Formula Track Hubs (silver version of ones on boards.ie standard bowery)

    Fitted with a tan-walled 700x32C tyre (for the retro look) which is just scarily massive - might have to go down to 28s at some stage.

    Used Roger Musson's book too and it has loads of good info in it and goes into a bit more method detail that the bearded one. Not sure if Sheldon says it but the tip about aligning the spokes fantastic - you can immediately see the benefit.

    th_DSCF0811.jpg th_DSCF0812.jpg


    can't build the back one until tomorrow because I was given three longer than necessary spokes so I need replacements - my chainline's screwed anyway so need to go to the shop for a bb.


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    #12
    penexpers
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,038 ✭✭✭penexpers


    Nice one. Did the stand help much in the end?


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    #13
    stuf
    Registered Users Posts: 578 ✭✭✭stuf


    Stand definitely helped - I've trued wheels on my frame with the brake pads before but there's just a lot more control with the stand.


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    #14
    stuf
    Registered Users Posts: 578 ✭✭✭stuf


    Stupid things to avoid when wheel building:
    1. Make sure you rotate the hub the right way before lacing cross spokes - otherwise your valve will be between two crossed spokes and not two parallel ones - doh! Still pumpable but it would be better the right way.
    2. When you get all excited about getting a tyre and tube onto your lovely new wheel don't forget to put rim tape on or else your tube will spontaneously puncture and freak you out.


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    #15
    Billy Whizz
    Registered Users Posts: 305 ✭✭Billy Whizz


    Hey stuf I remember bidding for that frame on Ebay!!! Building a fixie?

    I found a frame for myself after that Dunelt. Fixie is coming along grand but bought the wheels on On-One rather than building them myself. Would love to get into wheelbuilding but not for a while, too impatient!


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    #16
    stuf
    Registered Users Posts: 578 ✭✭✭stuf


    Billy Whizz wrote: »
    Hey stuf I remember bidding for that frame on Ebay!!! Building a fixie?

    I found a frame for myself after that Dunelt. Fixie is coming along grand but bought the wheels on On-One rather than building them myself. Would love to get into wheelbuilding but not for a while, too impatient!

    Yep - I'm in full build mode now - just waiting for my handlebars to arrive and I'll be on the road although I seem to have mislaid my brake levers which were bought ages ago.

    The frame's in great nick but the paint job is a bit dull. Would love to get it powder coated. My chainline's there now after I got the right BB in Cycleways on Saturday. The chain's a bit jittery with 3/32" on the front and 1/8" on the back and a 1/8" chain. Will give it a go but I'll probably be replacing the back cog and chain soon enough and having 3/32" all round.

    The whole thing's a bit of a money pit with much of the money going to An Post and the Royal Mail it seems.


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    #17
    Billy Whizz
    Registered Users Posts: 305 ✭✭Billy Whizz


    I'll be running a 1/8" chain with 1/8" sprocket but could only find a 3/32" chainring for a reasonable price.

    The cost of the thing has escalated beyond belief at this stage. Still I guess I've found out about things I wouldn't have known had I not decided to do it.

    Don't forget to throw up a picture of the completed bike!


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