Another thing I was going to ask.
What special tools will I need? And what is the strongest way to build a wheel?
(Probably shouldn't have used a flat head screw driver and a pair of vise grips but I used what I had
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I think I'm rather late replying and you will have watched the excellent YouTube tutorials by now; but for all the future reads this will get from forum lurkers (hello future people lol) you will need:
A good steady work bench and a wheel truing stand,
Or a vice and an old fork with pieces if card to use to measure against,
A good quality spoke key aka nipple wrench that fits the gauge you are using,
Oil for your nipples (ooh la la!),
A nipple driver or stubby flat head screwdriver
Later on you will want a spoke tension gauge but if you're taking your time building the wheel in the evenings then you can start without it.
I would use a digital caliper to measure the hub, then calculate the spoke lengths to buy using an online spoke length calculator.
I think a bulldog clip/ binder clip would help me to not forget which spoke I'm on, so I can do it in front of the TV, lol.
That's all I can think of..
An online spoke calculator gives you the spoke lengths you need to order. The rim manufacturer's website should give you the recommended spoke tension/s.
36 spoke wheels should be laced 3-cross and 48 spoke wheels should be 4-cross AFAIK. These terms and what to do with the tools are explained in the tutorials.
The professional bike mechanic at the shop I used to get my wheels built at used only straight gauge DT Swiss spokes. I never actually ever broke one on any of my mountain bikes and touring bikes. Definitely seems to be worth buying the best you can afford.
