Bicycles

Questions tagged [wheel-building]

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Questions referring to the craft of assembling bicycle wheels.

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7
votes
3answers
902 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
votes
3answers
129 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
votes
0answers
68 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
112 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
vote
3answers
131 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
votes
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 ...
2
votes
2answers
138 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
votes
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
votes
1answer
70 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
votes
1answer
261 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
votes
1answer
120 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
vote
4answers
320 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
194 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
vote
3answers
215 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 ...
2
votes
3answers
167 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
vote
0answers
49 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
vote
2answers
334 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
votes
3answers
1k 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.
10
votes
4answers
3k 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 ...
10
votes
2answers
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
vote
1answer
333 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
vote
2answers
180 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
480 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
86 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
354 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
196 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
760 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
339 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
votes
1answer
180 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
335 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
votes
3answers
931 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
140 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
589 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
572 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
2k 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
2k 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
2k 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....
3
votes
1answer
430 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
908 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
2answers
401 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 ...
7
votes
5answers
2k 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
118 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
6k 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'...
2
votes
1answer
1k 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
3k 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
774 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
10k 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 ...
8
votes
2answers
581 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. ...
2
votes
1answer
319 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
178 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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