Is building wheels really that hard?

Mr Wu
Mr Wu Posts: 1,238
edited June 2009 in MTB general
Right,

Ive got two Hope Pro2 hubs F&R, with some Halo Combat Rims

36h Rear
32h Front

With DT Black spokes, im supposed to be taking them down this weekend to be built but wondered if it was easy to do it yourself, im all for doing things tha sen and dont mind putting a lot of time into it to learn how to do it.

Would you do it or pay for someone else to do it?

Ideas/thoughts please.
My Girlfriend...

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Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    have a read of the how to on sheldons web page.

    then have a think.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Mr Wu
    Mr Wu Posts: 1,238
    Had a look at that before....

    Am thinking it be easier to get them built. Just dont know if i trust my LBS with them....
    My Girlfriend...

    weight.png
  • Dirtydog11
    Dirtydog11 Posts: 1,621
    If you've not built a wheel before then I'd have them built.

    If you want to learn how to build a wheel I'd practice with an old one first because you will mess it up!
    Kinesis Maxlight XC

    Orange 5 AM Custom
  • hucking_fell
    hucking_fell Posts: 1,056
    Why not build it loosely yourself then get the LBS to tension the spokes? You'd learn a bit and save a bit of money too. Plus the wheel won't get messed up :wink:
    More freerange chicken than Freeride God
    Bighit , 5 , BFe
  • Dirtydog11
    Dirtydog11 Posts: 1,621
    Hucking Fell wrote:
    Why not build it loosely yourself then get the LBS to tension the spokes? You'd learn a bit and save a bit of money too. Plus the wheel won't get messed up :wink:

    That a bloody good idea!
    Kinesis Maxlight XC

    Orange 5 AM Custom
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    Dirtydog11 wrote:
    Hucking Fell wrote:
    Why not build it loosely yourself then get the LBS to tension the spokes? You'd learn a bit and save a bit of money too. Plus the wheel won't get messed up :wink:

    That a bloody good idea!

    shame that most people do it wrong first time arround and then the wheel builder has to find twice the time to unbuild and then build the wheels.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Yes, the builder wants to know from scratch what is goping on, and differences in spoke or thread lengths and wind them all on incrementally.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • v23
    v23 Posts: 217
    Using another wheel as a template is a good idea. I've built wheels in the past/swapped rims and I'd say it's not that difficult, especially if you're using a 3 cross pattern, 2 cross/radial are very uch harder in my opinion. My wheels have held up just as well as ready bought ones.
  • skullthaw
    skullthaw Posts: 321
    Not really just make sure that you under stand the spoke patter that you want and plan it out

    + 1 for the using an old wheel as a template
    2 Broken fingers broken again... F@$%^£g hell that hurt!!!

    92% of teenagers have turned to rap. If your one of the 8% that still listens to real music put this in your sig.
    METAL!!!!!
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    skullthaw wrote:
    Not really just make sure that you under stand the spoke patter that you want and plan it out

    + 1 for the using an old wheel as a template

    and people still get it wrong on the first few builds.

    new wheels leave it to the builder.

    then play with some old wheels and get then checked to find out where you went wrong.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Tank-slapper
    Tank-slapper Posts: 968
    Depends how much time and patience you have. It would be best to practice on an old wheel first, but if you are extremely careful, it is possible. A tensiometer would be useful.
  • hucking_fell
    hucking_fell Posts: 1,056
    I'm glad I posted that reply 'cos I was thinking of doing the same thing myself. Think I'll just get the LBS to build it all from scratch. I've ordered all the bits from them anyway. It would have been cheaper buying a wheel online but I owe the LBS for a few free favours they've done me recently.
    More freerange chicken than Freeride God
    Bighit , 5 , BFe
  • Mr Wu
    Mr Wu Posts: 1,238
    Hucking Fell wrote:
    I owe the LBS for a few free favours they've done me recently.

    that why your walking funny? :lol::lol:
    My Girlfriend...

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  • dodgy
    dodgy Posts: 2,890
    I built a new wheel last year, purely as a 'right of passage' type of thing you see. Bought a Minoura truing stand and the Wheelpro book from here - http://www.wheelpro.co.uk/wheelbuilding/book.php
    Took my time and got it right first time, it was a rear wheel with disk brakes for my MTB and it's stood up well. Several hundred hard miles later and it hasn't needed truing.
    I might have been lucky, but I think it just takes patience together with an appreciation / sympathy for engineering principles.
  • Mr Wu
    Mr Wu Posts: 1,238
    Been in and asked my LBS how much they charge.

    £20 per wheel, how does this sound? obviously im supplying rims hubs and spokey dokeys.
    My Girlfriend...

    weight.png
  • GHill
    GHill Posts: 2,402
    Mr Wu wrote:
    £20 per wheel, how does this sound? obviously im supplying rims hubs and spokey dokeys.

    Depends how good they are at building them :wink:

    Certainly doesn't sound expensive.
  • stu8975
    stu8975 Posts: 1,334
    About normal price for labour charge on a wheelbuild (provided they do it correct), you say you already have the spokes, did you measure up yourself or have the wheelbuilder do it? and make sure the wheelbuilder knows the max tension (kgf) allowed for the rims.
    ANTHEM X
    Youth
  • scale20
    scale20 Posts: 1,300
    Im looking at having some new Spank rims built onto my Pro 2's soon. I fancy getting into a bit of DIY wheelbuilding however I will be having a play around with the DT rims that come off along with some second hand ebay hubs.

    I have got to a point where I can do / fix most things on the beast now however I have never had a pop at wheels. You have to start somewhere eh?

    I wouldnt start by trying to build new wheels though :?
    Niner Air 9 Rigid
    Whyte 129S 29er.
  • stu8975
    stu8975 Posts: 1,334
    scale20 - recently viewed a new set of same wheels you want, spank rim on pro 2(cant remember which rim, was shocking quality (manufactured) 2 nasty big rivets where its joined that makes it immposible to get perfectly true, they had a nasty 'hop' at the join because of it.
    ANTHEM X
    Youth
  • scale20
    scale20 Posts: 1,300
    Thanks for letting me know I will have a good look when I get them. I did a bit of digging around for reviews before buying and didn't really come up with any negative points just the fact they can be buggers with tight tyres.
    Niner Air 9 Rigid
    Whyte 129S 29er.
  • stu8975
    stu8975 Posts: 1,334
    I will check with LBS next time im in to see if they are still there and get some snaps of the join/rivets....looked like a high spot in the rim.
    ANTHEM X
    Youth

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