I just finished building my first set of wheels. I got some closeout 517's (yeah, I know....) at the recent LBS liquidation, some on-sale LX hubs, and spokes cut by the good LBS (that's still goin' strong). They even had 'em dipped in spoke prep for me when I came pick them up. Cool! After gathering all the pieces/parts over a few weeks, I finally sat down one evening last week and started to work. I read through Zinn's chapter and then used Sheldon on line instructions on lacing up a basic 3X wheel set. It was all pretty straightforward and I only had to start over from scratch once (leading spokes go over-over-under, not over-over-over....oops). I was amazed how quickly they came into shape. The only tricky part was getting the dish right on the rear. I'm still not entirely sure about the overall spoke tension, though. It *seemed* about right from the feel and sound, and when compared to a few other wheels, but being kinda new at this, I'm still not entirely sure. I guess time will tell, eh?
I mounted the slicks on 'em and put on an 8s cassette for the hardtail. I was amazed at how well I could get the brakes adjusted with razor-straight rims. I took 'em out for a road ride yesterday with no complaints. Definitely lighter then the Rynolites I had on there before, but I can't say the bike felt any lighter overall. Still, it was kinda cool putting some miles on a set of wheels that started as nothing more than a pile of parts. They are easily the truest wheels I've ever had on a bike. I don't think I saved much money compared to what you can find via mail-order, but the satisfaction of riding on my own work is well worth it.
I just finished building my first set of wheels. I got some closeout 517's (yeah, I know....) at the recent LBS liquidation, some on-sale LX hubs, and spokes cut by the good LBS (that's still goin' strong). They even had 'em dipped in spoke prep for me when I came pick them up.
Nice! You're in Portland, aren't you? Which LBS?
-- -BB- To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least)
I just finished building my first set of wheels. I got some closeout 517's (yeah, I know....) at the recent LBS liquidation, some on-sale LX hubs, and spokes cut by the good LBS (that's still goin' strong). They even had 'em dipped in spoke prep for me when I came pick them up.
Nice! You're in Portland, aren't you? Which LBS?
Nope. Wrong coast (or further south, depending on which Portland!). I'm in Newport News, Va. Conte's Bike shop. Great crew.
In news:Wnbsc.176963$f_5.147897@lakeread01, tcmedara <[email hidden]> typed:
Quoted message said:
I just finished building my first set of wheels. I got some closeout 517's (yeah, I know....) at the recent LBS liquidation, some on-sale LX hubs, and spokes cut by the good LBS (that's still goin' strong). They even had 'em dipped in spoke prep for me when I came pick them up. Cool! After gathering all the pieces/parts over a few weeks, I finally sat down one evening last week and started to work. I read through Zinn's chapter and then used Sheldon on line instructions on lacing up a basic 3X wheel set. It was all pretty straightforward and I only had to start over from scratch once (leading spokes go over-over-under, not over-over-over....oops). I was amazed how quickly they came into shape. The only tricky part was getting the dish right on the rear. I'm still not entirely sure about the overall spoke tension, though. It *seemed* about right from the feel and sound, and when compared to a few other wheels, but being kinda new at this, I'm still not entirely sure. I guess time will tell, eh?
I mounted the slicks on 'em and put on an 8s cassette for the hardtail. I was amazed at how well I could get the brakes adjusted with razor-straight rims. I took 'em out for a road ride yesterday with no complaints. Definitely lighter then the Rynolites I had on there before, but I can't say the bike felt any lighter overall. Still, it was kinda cool putting some miles on a set of wheels that started as nothing more than a pile of parts. They are easily the truest wheels I've ever had on a bike. I don't think I saved much money compared to what you can find via mail-order, but the satisfaction of riding on my own work is well worth it.
Tom
The important thing is stress relieving the wheel after you bring the spokes up to tension. And no, you're never going to "save money" building your own but you do get a quality handbuilt wheel that will last a long time. The first wheel I built back in 98 is still rolling on the bike I sold to a friend of mine. I see it every now and then on the trail and it is still running true. The braking surface is starting to get a bit thin now however. You've also gained an intimate knowledge of the mystery of wheels and it will be easier to maintain them in the future. An out of whack wheel or a broken spoke out on the trail will be no big deal from now on. Congrats!!
