Sourcing Parts for Wheel Build

[Phantom]

Hello, all!

I'm ready to build my first pair of wheels and hope some experienced wheelbuilders will give me some leads on sourcing good parts.

I'm building front and back 26ers for a durable commuter, with 12 gauge spokes for strength. Any sources for hubs , spokes and rims? I like to buy American if possible, and prefer function over form (no bling or exotic/expensive materials).

Thanks for the help!

 

[Wrench]

What type of brakes do you want

 

[Phantom]

What type of brakes do you want

Disk brakes (knew I left out something!)

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

Well let's start with first things first. Do you have a truing stand, dishing tool, spoke wrench, and spoke tension tester? If you don't have any of this equipment, get them first before worrying about getting wheel parts. I was able to get all 4 of these off eBay for around $120.

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

Hello, all!

I'm ready to build my first pair of wheels and hope some experienced wheelbuilders will give me some leads on sourcing good parts.

I'm building front and back 26ers for a durable commuter, with 12 gauge spokes for strength. Any sources for hubs , spokes and rims? I like to buy American if possible, and prefer function over form (no bling or exotic/expensive materials).

Thanks for the help!

Just because it's a 12 gauge spoke doesn't mean it's any good or strong. A Sapim 14 gauge spoke is stronger than a department store 10 gauge spoke. Other good spoke brands are WheelSmith and DT.

Do you have double walled rims. What kind of rear hub do you plan to lace up (freewheel, cassette, IGH, single speed etc)?

 

[Chainlube]

Save yourself some hassles, they're already made for you.

Wheel - 329KVPR

Wheel - 329KVPR - The Worksman Cycles Factory Direct Store, America's Oldest Cycle Manufacturer, Industrial Bicycles and Tricycles, since 1898

www.worksmancycles.com

 

[Phantom]

Well let's start with first things first. Do you have a truing stand, dishing tool, spoke wrench, and spoke tension tester? If you don't have any of this equipment, get them first before worrying about getting wheel parts. I was able to get all 4 of these off eBay for around $120.

Yes, I have all those tools.

 

[Phantom]

Just because it's a 12 gauge spoke doesn't mean it's any good or strong. A Sapim 14 gauge spoke is stronger than a department store 10 gauge spoke. Other good spoke brands are WheelSmith and DT.

Do you have double walled rims. What kind of rear hub do you plan to lace up (freewheel, cassette, IGH, single speed etc)?

 

[Phantom]

Just because it's a 12 gauge spoke doesn't mean it's any good or strong. A Sapim 14 gauge spoke is stronger than a department store 10 gauge spoke. Other good spoke brands are WheelSmith and DT.

Do you have double walled rims. What kind of rear hub do you plan to lace up (freewheel, cassette, IGH, single speed etc)?

I have no rims (or spokes or hubs). Rear hub will be an 8 speed freehub.

 

[Sidewinder Jerry]

Workman wheels are great. Still wheel building can give similar joys as bike building. You're riding on your own creation.

My spoke upgrading technique is mark all the old ones then true rim fairly close. After that replace a stock spoke with an upgraded spoke until all stock spokes are replaced with upgraded spokes. Finally fine-tune the truing.