Bicycles

Questions tagged [wheel-building]

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Questions referring to the craft of assembling bicycle wheels.

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3answers
103 views

How to select a rim?

I have noticed there are a huge number of rims available for sale. Some are cheap, some are expensive. Some are intended for rim brakes, some are intended for disc brakes. Not all rims are available ...
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2answers
91 views

Why did my 28-spoke front wheel lost all tension but rear only some?

I have an electric road bike with disc brakes. Its stock front and rear tires have only 28 spokes and a slightly deeper than ordinary rim. The hubs are cheap non-Shimano hubs, but their flange ...
-1
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1answer
74 views

How to model the dynamic tension distribution of a loaded bicycle wheel?

Jobst Brandt has in his book The Bicycle Wheel the results of a computer simulation of the dynamic tension distribution in a loaded bicycle wheel. However, the code of the simulation is not available. ...
3
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1answer
122 views

Problems with spoke threads, and stressing the wheel

I was building up a rear wheel with brand new spokes and nipples. I used linseed oil on the threads so that when it dries it hardens. When I stress the wheel/spokes the threads slip, causing the spoke ...
2
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1answer
81 views

Single wall rims with disc brakes

I'm building up a 36-spoke dynamo front wheel for a Mongoose Envoy cargo bike. It will be used casually for short trips, but I weigh 230 lbs and I may have a child or a load of groceries on. The stock ...
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2answers
54 views

How much leeway do I have on ERD?

I am following up on this thread. I have found a few rims that match the ERD (604) of my rim, and if necessary I can use one of those. But I would like to consider others as well. How much leeway ...
1
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2answers
92 views

Finding a rim to swap in on a damaged wheel

I have a rear wheel with a 29" WTP STp i25 rim. The rim is irreparably damaged, but the wheel is otherwise in good condition. The spokes are not affected, the hub is great, and the wheel was ...
-5
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1answer
94 views

28-spoke wheel lost tension, what now?

I bought a nice e-bike. Unfortunately, it has only 28 spokes front and rear. The spokes seem to be 2mm straight gauge. The double wall aluminum rims do not have double eyelets / sockets. The hubs are ...
4
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1answer
309 views

Bent spokes after lacing

It's the first time I build a wheel (3 cross) and I would like to use these components: DT Swiss H522 29" rim 36H DT Swiss Hybrid 350 Hub 36H DT Swiss Champion 2.0/1.8 J spokes When I insert ...
2
votes
1answer
273 views

Is this spoke tension too low?

I am building a wheel and it is (pretty much) perfectly dished Spoke tension calculator measurements say: However, my wheel required a lot of offset to get the dish correct. My park tool TM-1 ...
3
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1answer
106 views

Spokes are too long for wheel build. What did I do wrong?

Tonight, I began the process of building a new wheel. I purchased an Industry Nine Hydra Hub (MTN - 32 hole - Classic Rear Hub - ISO 6 Bolt - 12x148 HG) Here are the calculations posted on their ...
1
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1answer
207 views

Correct spoke tension for DT Swiss EX 471 26" 32h rim paired with Wheelsmith DB 14 spokes

I am currently in the process of building a wheel, and I'm super confused on how to determine the correct spoke tension. I bought the Park Tool TM-1 to correctly gauge the tension. DT Swiss doesn't ...
0
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1answer
88 views

Diagnosing and correcting hop on carbon wheel

NOTE - please read update below and all comments. I have a Mavic Cosmic carbon wheel which is perfectly true, but it has some vertical hop (3-4 mm). I thought at first that it was out of round, but ...
4
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1answer
221 views

Using an 8 speed cassette on an 10-11 speed Tiagra FH-RS400

I'm trying to build a new set of wheels for touring trip (2 months) I have planned and can only find a Tiagra FH-RS400 hub. The issues is that my shifters are Claris 3x8 ST-2403-L and cannot support ...
4
votes
1answer
585 views

Is it common for the left side spokes of a front disc wheel to have more tension than the right side spokes?

Wiping my bike down after a wet ride, I noticed that the left side spokes on my front wheel are tighter than the right side. I don't have a tensionometer but squeezing pairs on each side and plucking ...
8
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3answers
937 views

Is there a benefit of lacing trailer wheel spokes radially instead of crossed?

Reading a review of a bike trailer one of the commentators noted that the wheels were laced radially: It is a 16" wheel. Does this configuration have some advantage making it a good choice? I always ...
2
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3answers
225 views

Using 16 hole front rim to build a rear wheel

I have the opportunity to buy 2 front Shimano Dura Ace C40 latest generation wheels at a very cheap price. The hole count for the wheelset is 16/21. Could I build / have built a rear wheel from one of ...
2
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0answers
79 views

Why would non-drive side leading spokes break?

I've built about half a dozen wheels for my commuter bikes and never had any problems, but the last rear wheel broke some spokes. Everything on the wheel was brand new, 32 spokes, had only done about ...
2
votes
3answers
258 views

Wheel Building - Should key spoke be inside or outside flange?

I’m working on my first wheel build and reading a lot of articles about spoke patterns. Some articles say the key spoke (drive-side, to the right of the valve) should be on the outside of the flange, ...
1
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3answers
185 views

148-to-141 conversion effect on spoke length?

I'm building a set of wheels using: WTB KOM Light i40 rims - 27.5" Hope Pro 4 Hubs - 100mm front / 148mm rear However, I have converted the rear hub to a 141mm using Hope's QR conversion kit. Does ...
20
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8answers
3k views

Purpose of 'bore' on spoke nipples - why are spoke nipples not threaded through their entire length?

I noticed that (most) spoke nipples have a thread which does not run through the entire length of the nipple. As can be seen in the image below some of the length of the nipple has no threads (and is ...
3
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2answers
273 views

Why forward-facing spokes should be “heads in”, except on the drive side of the rear wheel?

Shimano service instructions for hubs show that out of the four sides, three should be "forward-facing spokes are heads-in", and one, the drive side on the rear wheel, the other way around: What is ...
7
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3answers
2k views

Broken 26'' wheel

I need your recommendations. I have the issue with my rear rim. It was broken. And now I have a dilemma to buy a new wheel or buy a new rim and use hub, spokes from the previous wheel. One problem the ...
3
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1answer
76 views

Rescue corroded alloy nipples on wheel spokes, perhaps using chemicals?

My wheelset has alloy nipples which have severely corroded. It needs rebuilt with brass nipples. However, my LBS can't get the spokes out. The nipples are too disintegrated to turn, but not ...
4
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1answer
337 views

How much do spokes stretch when first used?

I built a wheel for the first time recently, so I checked it after a few hundred km. The spokes seemed to all have lower tension (by pitch) than when I built the wheel. I tightened them all about 1/4 ...
3
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1answer
254 views

Can I attach a 40 spoke hub to a 36 spoke rim?

I just discovered a crack in the back rim of my mother's bike and I'd like to replace it. The trouble is that the hub is 40 spoke and I cannot find a 40 hole rim that would fit the bike and would be ...
1
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4answers
513 views

Use Brompton BWR 3-speed hub to create a full 700c wheel?

I have been looking at getting an internal gear hub wheel for my commuter. I currently ride a fixie and I find myself wanting a lower gear at stop lights and a higher gear in straight aways. Basically ...
2
votes
1answer
452 views

How do I choose a replacement wheel rim?

These are my current rims: Wheeltech TD26 by Alex Rims (can't find much info about these online). I need to replace the rear wheel as it is cracked (cracks on the rims around a few spokes) It's a ...
1
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3answers
236 views

Replacing multiple spokes (9/36): more like replacing spokes or rebuilding a wheel?

I've never built a wheel and while I'd like to learn one day I'm not going to learn on this one. On Saturday my rear wheel ate my derailleur (and bent the steel hanger in the process)*. No spokes ...
4
votes
3answers
229 views

Can I use a spoke tension meter to fix my uneven pre-tensioning prior to truing?

I've managed to lace up the wheel I’m building, however I think I've managed to unevenly tension the non drive side as a few spokes aren't as tight as others. If I get a tension meter, I can go ...
1
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0answers
51 views

Is new Hozan spoke thread roller better than old one [closed]

I have tried to use the old Hozan spoke thread roller (model 700), and have been deeply disappointed. I tried to follow instructions provided but all spokes it produced were either with too shallow ...
1
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2answers
640 views

Spokes stick out of nipples when rebuilding wheel

I'm having issues with the nipples the spoke threads are sticking out. I want to tension the wheel but when I tighten the nipples the spoke treads come out from top of the nipples before the wheel is ...
3
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3answers
3k views

Could I use a front rim to build a rear wheel?

Could I build a rear wheel using a front rim? Edit: Follow-on question Spokes stick out of nipples when rebuilding wheel reusing spokes.
11
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4answers
5k views

Is it worth rebuilding a wheel myself to save money?

The bearings and hubs on my bike have worn out and need replacing. The local bike shop charges $120 to have the wheel rebuilt with a new hub not including the part cost. I am considering doing this ...
11
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3answers
2k views

Best way to strengthen a wheel?

I'm a relatively heavy chap - 95kg or so. (15 stone, 210 pounds) I've got a commuter bike which uses a NuVinci N360 hub. The hub itself is quite heavy at 2.5kg and I suspect contributes to what is ...
1
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1answer
467 views

Spoke Length Help - First Wheel Build

I bought a pair of Ryde Andra 30 28" Rim(ERD=598mm) and Hope RS4 Road Bicycle Hubs(Rear/Front Specs, Front-Type(100mm), Rear-Type(130mm)). I then used the prowheelbuilder spoke length calculator with ...
1
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2answers
276 views

How to reliably tell if the rim is correctly drilled?

The typical advice is to put down the rim, find the hole for valve and compare two adjacent holes which one is "higher" and which one is "lower" one (the counterclockwise hole should be higher). The ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views

Ordering correct spoke nipple size

I've got some spoke nipples on a rear wheel which are stripped, and I'd like to replace them. I've measured the thickness of the spokes and they have a diameter of 2mm, which correspond to 14-gauge ...
0
votes
1answer
132 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
608 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
267 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
1k 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
641 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 ...
0
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1answer
205 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
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1answer
414 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 ...
8
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3answers
1k 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
166 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
764 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
623 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
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2answers
3k 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 ...

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