got an old hope xc hub which i was thinking about having a go at making a non disk wheel up on or should i just pay the shop labour charges and get them to do it

I did it once. just took my time was methodical and make a decent enough wheel (after about two weeks!).

It's not so much rocket science but it requires patience.

may give it a go then tis, only going to go on an old canondale i lend out to friends to get them out cycling .. found any good routes on dartmoor yet billy ?

Our arses haven't touched the floor yet!

Ridings out of the question till the moves finished...well that is if I ever want to have sex again!

not the best of weather for riding on the moors at the mo any way, tho was good fun yesterday out doing the princetown loop in the wind bit of a killer.

sheldon's got a good guide; follow the instructions, do it properly and you should have a quality wheel.

i built up a pair of xtr/mavics about 6 years ago and they're still going strong [and straight]. they were my first ones!

make sure you've got a proper jig, screwdriver, key and nipple grease though.

As long as you get the first spokes in the right places then lacing is straight forward. Initial tightening of the spokes just takes patience and being methodical. The final tightening and truing is the hardest part but again if you are methodical and take your time then there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to do it. I built a set of XT hubs with DT 4.2 rims and they are still sweet.

The "Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance" book had a clear description on how to lace up a 3x wheel. I still use this as my reference guide.

I find the crucial bit is the initial tightening of the spokes after the wheel is laced. Getting this right makes truing more easy. Both take patience.

You don't need a proper jig and dishing guage but it does make life easier. Try and borrow one if you can.

I built one, just using the frame, and taped on alan keys as gauge and jig. i just took my time and followed instructions from t'internet. it worked out ok.

That said, it was only for my hack bike. i would rather not ride off-road on wheels i have built myself.

Time is the main thing.

One useful thing is a piece of masking tape on the spoke your working on,then if the phone rings you know where you are.

Only one thing to add, don't do the final tension and true on the same day that you lace the wheel. Have a break.

a mechanic-friend of mine told me that a really good de-stress is the key to a long-lasting wheel.

I've done 1, took me 9hours.

Cause I laced a 36hole rim in first, to a 32hole hub Doh!!
Then had to use another rim, got 1/2 in and realised wrong spoke length.
Then got it right.

Used it for 12months, wasn't ever true as such, Sprokkit said it wasn't really central, but it worked.


I'll stick to paying CRC infuture, it wasn't worth the small saving to be honest.

There were no probs with the dishing but it wasn't spot on in the centre of the wheel so there was a minute, but very weird, up 'n' down motion while riding! :D

Yep de-stressing the spokes is essential. Using lube on the spokes at the nipple end is a very good idea too. And a little drop of thread lock when you have finished.

Sprokkit Lives LOL

Ahhh it worked and was good enough :)

...it wasn't spot on in the centre of the wheel so there was a minute, but very weird, up 'n' down motion while riding! :D

Just had an amusing thought of Dyl riding along on a clown bike.

This book is really good. My first wheel turned out as good as anything I've ever had from elsewhere.
No-one else will take as much care, or spend as much time, over your wheel as you will.

If you can true your own wheels then there's not a lot more to building one from scratch.

I always re tension and stress mine anyway Jimmy, normally after the first ride.

Lacing just takes HOURS!!! especially if you've got to strip a existing wheel for the Rim :(

If you build it properly in the first place it shouldn't need distressing and re tensioning after the first ride. If it 'pings' on the first ride you've not built it properly.