Questions referring to the craft of assembling bicycle wheels.
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1answer
59 views
How do you measure the length of a loose spoke?
I have built up quite a few old spokes, which are all perfectly useable. All I need to know is their intended length, but I am not sure how it should be taken.
2
votes
2answers
109 views
Does a small bolt cutter do OK cutting spokes for a wheel build?
I'm hoping a cheap bolt cutter will make easier work and put less stress on my cable cutters when cutting and threading spokes for a wheel built. (My hands get knackered pulling on the shortish cable ...
1
vote
1answer
70 views
Choosing parts for wheel build on a cargo bike conversion
I am using an old Xtracycle Free Radical to convert my hybrid 90s Specialized CrossRoads to a cargo bicycle.
The Free Radical was originally designed for 26” wheels, but many people used them on 700c ...
3
votes
1answer
467 views
How many spokes for a single speed road bike?
I want to buy a handbuilt wheelset from a local bike shop and I am in front of the decision of how many spokes I want to put on front and rear wheel.
The application of the wheelset is a singlespeed ...
1
vote
1answer
98 views
How much will 4mm dish weaken the rear wheel?
I'm building a rear wheel (my first wheel-build) that needs a 4mm dish. How much will this amount of dish weaken the wheel? What would be the maximum dish a wheel can have while still maintaining good ...
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votes
1answer
66 views
Aero spokes cross pattern
Does it make sense building a wheel using a 2 or 3 cross pattern and aero (bladed) spokes? Or are aero spokes used with radial lacing only?
2
votes
1answer
115 views
Measure Spoke Tension on BMX Wheel
I'm building a 20" BMX wheel. I want to check the spoke tension, I'm not sure how to do that accurately. It's a high flange hub laced 3x with 186mm spokes. Because of that, the cross is just off ...
5
votes
2answers
245 views
What happened to double eyelets?
Whenever I talk with old wrenches about wheelbuilding, they always seem to talk about double eyeleted rims as the pinnacle of strength and quality. However, it seems most modern, high-end rims have no ...
0
votes
1answer
87 views
Park Tool TS-2 Truing Stand Upright Adjustment Knob
I just bought a used TS-2 truing stand that was in storage for years. Used one time, according to the previous owner. I cannot get the Upright Adjustment Knob to move the uprights in or out. The black ...
4
votes
2answers
267 views
Measuring tension in double butted spokes
I'm building a wheel with double butted spokes, 2.0 mm at the ends, 1.8 mm in the center. The Park Tool Spoke Tension Meter has a conversion sheet to determine the tension in spokes of different ...
4
votes
2answers
370 views
Are “V” brake rims safe to use with discs
I'm new to this forum and would like to ask if it is safe to use a V brake rim with a disc? I'm using Shimano Deore M555 hubs with discs laced to Mavic EX 721 32 hole rims and DB spokes. Apologies if ...
2
votes
2answers
886 views
Front caliper rubbing spokes, should I dish the wheel outward?
I've a problem with my front wheel.
I have a Velocity Aileron rim (584mm ERD), a Shutter Precision SL-9 dynamo hub(the flanges are not offseted like other disk hubs, but they have a smaller diameter ...
3
votes
1answer
655 views
measuring a spoke that's already in a wheel
i have a wheel, and i want a spare spoke to take touring. (it's a front wheel with a disc rotor, i have one for the rotor side but have lost the one i had for the non rotor side)
is it possible ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Which is the strongest lacing pattern for 32 and 36 spokes
Since I already hit the problem with wrong spoke length (changing my old front 32H hub with asymmetrical flanges to a new one with symmetrical), just started to think about the stiffness of the wheels....
2
votes
1answer
207 views
Replacing rims with a 3mm effective diameter difference - can spokes be reused?
I'm planning to change the rims from 27.5 (ERD=566mm) to 27.5+ (ERD=563mm). Will I be able to reuse the spokes in this case, or is it worth getting new ones?
1
vote
1answer
471 views
What size hub do I need for a Giant Escape 2 (2016)?
As I mentioned in a previous question, I'm in the process of replacing the stock rear wheel on my Giant Escape 2 (2016)(any comments/answers related to why and whether I need to replace it should be ...
2
votes
1answer
191 views
Who manufactures 590mm BSD (EA3 | 650A | 26 x 1 3/8) alloy touring rims?
I am trying to ask the question in a way that it can be answered. I am not asking who makes the best rim of this size.
Features:
- In the triangle of price, weight and durability the last one is ...
5
votes
4answers
577 views
Can hubs last forever?
In theory, could a bicycle hub last forever if you kept overhauling it (and getting new spokes and rims and etc.)?
I'd like to know about all the hubs, but what really interests me is whether or not ...
4
votes
1answer
88 views
How to measure a frame to find an appropriate rim?
Question: How does one measure their frame in order to know which size rims will fit?
Context: Flatmate left a few months ago, forgot (perhaps intentionally) a Traitor Cutlass frame. When asked, he ...
6
votes
2answers
3k views
What kind of wheels use spoke washers/nipple washers?
Just that, what kind of wheels use spoke washers?
Is this a nice addition to any old wheel, or are certain rims designed to use these? Would these perhaps help with a damaged spoke hole in a rim?
I'...
3
votes
1answer
628 views
Raleigh Twenty wheel/rim replacement options
What replacement wheels/rims that can be fitted into Raleigh Twenty bike are available these days?
Below I focus my requirements on the rims as they are probably easier to come by than complete ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
Do spoke nipples come in one standard body size for the gauge?
The descriptions for spoke nipples focus on the spoke diameter (or gauge) compatibility as well as the overall length of the nipple but not really anything about the round part between the head and ...
2
votes
2answers
325 views
how do I adjust the wheel?
I've just fixed my flat tire on the front wheel and now I found out that if I try to push the wheel to the sides it kind of moves a little. it feels like it's not secured to the hub. How do I fix that?...
8
votes
2answers
6k views
Asymmetric wheel. Which side should the “asymmetry” be on?
I'm currently building a front wheel based on a WTB i35 rim. This is an asymmetric rim, and you can see a picture of it below.
As you see, one side is larger than the other, and I was wondering which ...
7
votes
2answers
414 views
Is this wheel built incorrectly?
I am swapping around some hubs, and this means rebuilding two wheels, a 20" and a 26", both 36 spoke and both were done standard cross-3 lacing.
Here's how the 26" wheel hub looks after assembly.
...
3
votes
1answer
197 views
How to disassemble free hub shell?
I need to replace the free hub shell that is on my wheel with one that will work with an 11-speed Dura-Ace cassette. The current one is for Campagnolo.
I don't want to take the whole wheel apart, I ...
1
vote
1answer
142 views
Is it OK for a child's bike to have a radially-laced rear wheel?
I was looking at the Early Rirder Belter 16" child's bike and noticed that the rear wheel has radial spokes on both sides.
In wheels built for adult bikes this is considered bad practice. From ...
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vote
6answers
5k views
Is the 'shark wheel' a good idea for a bicycle?
I recently found a product that is a redesign of the common wheel. It's branded as the 'shark wheel'. It's basically a wheel where the rim is circular but bends like a sine wave. Simple idea but ...
2
votes
2answers
187 views
Can you change the rear hub on a tubular cyclo cross wheelset with out riping the tubular tyre off?
I recently bought sram cx1 for my cyclocross bike and was hoping it to put it on tonight.
I didn't do enough research before purchasing the product to realise that 11 speed cassettes will not fit ...
6
votes
1answer
424 views
Wheel going badly out of true on final tightening
On two occasions (same wheel, loosened everything off and re-did the whole thing after the first time) as I've applied a final half turn to tighten the spokes round the wheel it's gone from being ...
3
votes
1answer
430 views
Trailer Lighting Using a Dynamo Hub [closed]
I have a B.o.B. Yak trailer which uses a ISO 305 mm BSD rim. I'd like to build up a wheel for the trailer using a dynamo hub (perhaps a Sanyo H27) so that I could have lights on the trailer.
I know I ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Spokes both too long and too short on same side of wheel
I'm attempting my second wheel build. My first build went pretty smoothly, but this time I've messed something up badly.
I calculated that both drive and non drive side could take 300mm spokes ( ...
3
votes
3answers
684 views
Are carbon hubs a good idea?
I'm beginning to see manufactures making carbon hubs and am wondering if they have the potential to perform better than conventional metal hubs or if they are just a way to save a couple of grams of ...
4
votes
1answer
2k views
How much is too much - spokes protruding into the rim
I just received a pair of wheels that I ordered online. They are a replacement for a 1940'es vintage bike that now only takes "wulst"-type tires, which are only available in very poor quality at very ...
1
vote
1answer
346 views
What size nipple should I use for granny bike rim?
I am going to build my first wheel using the Ryde V38 rim (Westwood type).
The shop where I ordered the rim, says it has 5.5 mm spoke holes.
The nipples that come with the regular 2.34 mm (13 g) ...
1
vote
1answer
548 views
Converting from 7-speed to 10-speed rear wheel
My Bridgestone MB-5 currently has a 7-speed rear wheel. I'd like to convert it to a 10-speed. Is this possible? Is it practical?
2
votes
1answer
291 views
Wheel building - ever encountered nipples that are screwdriver-only?
I bought "powder coated" nipples for a new build to match a frame. It's for a SOMA Wolverine and the wheels were to be black spoke & rim with orange nipples - all the other non-orange parts are ...
3
votes
2answers
962 views
Rounding spoke length calculator results
The spoke calculator gave me the following results left 292.34 and right 290.98.
I am going to buy DT Swiss Competition spokes which are sold by 2mm increments from here. So which spoke length is ...
8
votes
1answer
5k views
Do Carbon Wheels Stay True Longer Than Aluminum Wheels?
Does a race quality carbon wheel set stay true longer than an aluminum one (with equal abuse/mileage) ?
It seems like the properties of carbon would resist flat spots and warping better than ...
2
votes
2answers
147 views
Wheel builder London?
Bought a new bike and rode it for a week. Unfortunately the spokes loosend until it was unrideable. No idea how this came about but it looks like I need someone to rebuilt the wheel.
Does anyone know ...
1
vote
2answers
389 views
Repairing a damaged cone nut
So I've got a nice hybrid bike that I picked up secondhand, was doing some maintenance on it to get it up and running and thought I'd replace the bearings in the rear axle. In doing this, I've found ...
4
votes
1answer
373 views
How to remove spoke twist
I just built my first wheel following the excellent ebook from Roger Musson. The build turned out great, but as hard as I tried, I couldn't master the technique to eliminate the spoke twist. I've ...
2
votes
2answers
736 views
9x4 spoke pattern
I am shopping around for a high end commuting bike. Several reputable manufacturers, including Batavus and Trek are using rims with 9x4 spoke hole pattern. Here are a couple examples:
http://www....
5
votes
5answers
4k views
Wheel size for heavier rider, larger vs smaller
I am a heavier rider, whilst still reducing, I am over 120kg or 260lb.
I have broken many spokes on the rear of my 26er sub-$500 mountain bike. Broken at the elbow. There could be many factors for ...
0
votes
3answers
1k views
How long between spoke adjustments on a mountain bike?
I have a mountain bike that's now about 18 months old. At the 12 month mark I took it for its first annual service. Since then there's been a problem with the front wheel coming out of alignment.
I'...
0
votes
1answer
1k views
Do I need to use thread locker or spoke prep when building wheels if spokes come pre-treated?
I purchased a dynamo hub, rim, and spokes for a wheel build. Unknown to me at the time of purchase, I discovered that the spokes all have blue thread locker compound pre-applied to the threads. The ...
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vote
0answers
366 views
Rebuilding Easton Haven Carbon Wheels
Had a rough off and many spokes in front and rear wheel are broken or badly damaged, so I'm just going to do a full spoke replacement. Does anyone either have a set of Easton Haven Carbon 26" that ...
1
vote
1answer
2k views
Shimano Claris FH-2400 Rear Hub Dimensions
I would like to purchase this hub, rim and suitable spokes, but I am not able to find dimensions of this hub necessary to calculate spoke size. I have checked usual places where such information can ...
3
votes
2answers
178 views
Why is it important to keep equal number of turns when building a wheel?
My first wheelset build here. I am following Sheldon and this guy. They both stress very much to tighten the nipples to an equal length, for example just as the spoke threads stop showing, and the ...
5
votes
2answers
5k views
Truing an 'out of round' wheel
I am building my first wheelset. The front wheel went without a hitch - nice and true both radially and laterally.
However, the rear wheel has a pronounced (5mm) bulge over about 1/4 of it. The ...
