? for master wheel builders like Jude

Bill I had Jude build me a wheel last year. He swedged on new threads after cutting my spokes and
got the length perfect with radial spokes I might add. I used a late model Campagnolo hub and in
comparison testing it spins about twice as long as any other wheel that I have. Although that is a
subject of another topic.

I am not a great wheel builder but I do build serviceable, true wheels. I use the Trial and Error
method to get the spoke length right. I have found that using a cross-3 pattern really helps
minimize the spoke length equation errors. The flange diameter differences are almost washed out
when the spokes leave the hub at a tangent.

Going for century #8 today. Dave Balfour

[email hidden] (Bill B) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

reading lots of wheel building articles linked to various spoke calc sites and have noticed there
are several ways to determine ERD. My ? to the masters is--Which ERD method do you like to use.

When I need to make spokes for a wheel that I am building, I measure the distance from where the
'head' of the spoke nipple seats, to the same place 180 degrees around the rim. (which is straight
across the diameter)

A piece of 1/8" welding wire works really well for this.

I have a small piece of tube, which is a slip fit on the 1/8" rod and it seats on the place where
the nipple will be. The rod slides through till it is flush with where the nipple seats on the
opposite side of the rim. I then, carefully, withdraw the welding rod, so as to be sure my little
piece of tubing does not move and measure the exposed length of welding rod.

Trust me, it is a lot easier to USE this method than it is for me to sit here and type it up. :-)

Lewis.

home.earthlink.netindex.htmlOpen ↗

...................... [email hidden] (Bill B) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

reading lots of wheel building articles linked to various spoke calc sites and have noticed there
are several ways to determine ERD. My ? to the masters is--Which ERD method do you like to use.

[email hidden] (Lewis Campbell) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I have a small piece of tube, which is a slip fit on the 1/8" rod and it seats on the place where
the nipple will be. The rod slides through till it is flush with where the nipple seats on the
opposite side of the rim. I then, carefully, withdraw the welding rod, so as to be sure my little
piece of tubing does not move and measure the exposed length of welding rod.

There's a tool that was distributed with the Wheelsmith spoke calculator that did exactly this.

In reality, the *exact* measurement need not be that precise... unless the spokes come out too
short. :-) It's OK if the spokes come all the way through the nipple and project out the backside-
this indicates that the threads have full engagement. If the spoke projects too far, though, you'll
bottom the nipple threads or have to file off the end of the spoke. Neither alternative is fun.

An alternative is to see if any of the spokke calculator databases at
sheldonbrown.comwheelbuild.htmlOpen ↗ lists the rim you're using. If all else fails,
ask the list.

Jeff