Wheel Building Questions

well, there are lots of websites that could help you. I'm sure somebody
will post one later.

as for lacing pattern: I believe 4-cross is stronger than 3 cross, but I
could be deluding myself. Apoke wrenches can be bought at a local bike
shop for around $3.00, I think. Most shops should have them. I have no
idea about titanium spokes, though.

--
Fuego - A Cult of Unicyclists

If u could've aborted president bush using medicinal marijuana grown by
a gay guy with a feeding-tube who was on death row, wade u?
-GILD

"Get off my Property before you sue me!"
-Morons everywhere.

'OneWheelNinjaSquad' (http://gallery.unicyclist.com/OneWheelNinjaSquad)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fuego's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/6983
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/42197

Quoted message said:

what lacing pattern is strongest?

The strongest lacing patterns are the standard 3-, 4-, and 5-cross.
4-cross is a good choice for typical 36-spoke wheels.

Quoted message said:

Are titanium spokes that great, or are they just a wast of money?

"Although titanium and aluminum spokes have been made, they have less
strength and poorer fatigue resistance then steel spokes. Steel is
less expensive than other materials and it wears better against the
hub." [p.53, "The Bicycle Wheel" by Jobst Brandt]

Unless you want to be different for aesthetics, go with quality
stainless steel spokes and get brass nipples if at all possible.
Double butted spokes have slightly more give, and make more durable
wheels.

Quoted message said:

My final question is where do I get a spoke wrench, and how much
does it cost?

I'm probably wrong about this, but it seems no two spoke wrenches are
exactly the same size. I have three different wrenches in the most
common size and one slightly loose, the other too tight to slip on
without a fight and the other just right.

My advice is find a bike shop where you can test to make sure the
wrench fits well, and be prepared to spend more than you'd expect
($10-$15) for the tool. Single size wrenches are easier to use and
generally better quality than universal wrenches that fit a variety of
spokes.

Ken

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

ahumm.

--
fexnix - 75 cm sidehop

'*My fresh gallery*' (http://gallery.unicyclist.com/Fexnix-album)
'knarkargänget' (http://surl.se/elt)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
fexnix's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/7381
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/42197

fexnix said:

*http://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

ahumm. *

This man is correct. I built my first wheel with this, and it's still
together.

--
loosejello - Amanda gives me sunburn
------------------------------------------------------------------------
loosejello's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/8295
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/42197

Another question, is a dishstick really neaded?

--
heavy metal unicycling - Loveland Unicycling Club

People who throw stones at you are quietly saying, "shoot me," they're
just not being verbally expressive enough.
-harper

The Big Picture-
The entire population of the world, with one minor exception, is
composed of others.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
heavy metal unicycling's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/9857
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/42197

heavy metal unicycling said:

Another question, is a dishstick really neaded?

Not at all.

After lacing the wheel, adjust the nipples so they are all within one
or two turns of each other by matching them up with the last thread on
each spoke. Then you can lightly tension the wheel by turning them
all the same number of turns and the wheel will be dished just fine.

If you are still worried and want to check the dish, you can measure
the gap to the frame on both sides of the rim, then turn the wheel
around an measure again. The gaps will all be identical if the wheel
is dished and frame straight.

Ken