How to Lace a Wheel - Three cross pattern

Despite the air of mystery surrounding the art of wheel building, the construction of a good set of bicycle wheels is really a pretty straightforward task.
To get a proper length of spokes use a spoke calculator (search the web) or measure the old ones. You may have two different lengths of spokes (16 of each)!
Wheel lacing steps (32 spokes, three-cross pattern):
- first set of 8 spokes
- second set of 8 spokes
- third set of 8 spokes
- fourth and final set of 8 spokes
- tensioning
- centering
- truing
Reference book: Lennard Zinn: Zinn&The art of mountain bike maintenance

[@Fighter4Street]

I don't understand many of the comments here. This is by far the easiest and most straight forward wheel building video I have seen. The video takes you step by step in a very clear and orderly fashion. Who ever made this video is very smart and efficient.

[@VideoNOLA]

Yet it mysteriously skips the very important step of flexing the newly installed spokes under a heavy load, necessary for introducing a degree of pre-warp to each side of the built wheel.

[@davechapman490]

This is by FAR, the easiest system to follow that I found! 1st time lacing a wheel and I had no problem following and once you understand the pattern, it's easy to finish on your own without the video. I had 14 full turns on all the nipples (3 turns at a time) and stretched them all a number of times as I tightened them up. Took them to get final tensioning and trueing and the guy said that everything was just about perfect as it was, just a bit of trueing and ready to go. Thanks Bikebook!!

[@Unrealy1]

This was the only video that made me build a wheel without mistakes.Good work!

[@lovemore4229]

Hi there, I used to build wheels years ago with a completely different method, this method of lacing is awesome. Thanks

[@jonstone9707]

The advice on this video is well timed and accurate. If you are not great with left and right then you will want to repeat some parts, but you will do the job right if you follow the instructions. I used this to replace my hub with a hub Dynamo.

[@bogdanipbv1989]

Best video of this kind...thank you!

[@jussiahola9548]

Thank you very much, this method works really great!

[@fernandofsantos30]

Thanks for the video it really helped me to rebuild a wheelset.

[@BillB]

Excellent how-to. I tried one of the other methods posted here and struggled for a couple hours. Tried this method and it went so easily. Thank you for sharing!

[@keithmorris9185]

Very good, thanks!

[@Bobcatblack1]

Just watch with your eyes no need for ears very easy to follow

[@Tomhetted]

I used it before for the rear wheel, and today for a front one. Thanks a lot, it's very helpful video!

[@pavliked]

The best video I've ever seen on wheel building. Thank you.

[@jhoover55106]

Extremely helpful, got it right the first time. Thank you!

[@TheBillrx561]

Excellent How-To! You totally saved my build. Tried another method twice that had my wheel all sorts of wrong. Was about to give up and have it done at LBS when I came across this video. Thank you

[@LouisSchumacher-cz5cx]

thank you so so much! worked the first time, perfect

[@malkie638]

Having learned to build wheels,,, this video is one of the Best, clear and easy to follow. thanx

[@berndlauert9781]

these are the highest quality MTB assembly videos that I've seen. I love them.

[@alexlintern9779]

Hi, thanks for the upload of this tutorial & well done for speaking English....with a cute accent! I have never laced a wheel before and now know that this is a very good way to start - it is quite simple and good for novices I can say. My wheel is a Shimano Nexus 3 internal gear hub and simpler perhaps due to common spoke lengths. Thanks again!

[@wysiwyg1234]

Awesome! Best wheel building video I’ve found yet. Thank You!

[@M-DIY]

Best and easiest wheel lacing video! I know her accent is different, but the content is simple to understand!!!

[@marktabor3307]

This was an easy video to follow. I have looked at several on here on how to lace a 32 spoke 3 way cross over and this worked for me. The dishing and truing may be on the basic side but if you can get it to work for you then thats great on a more expensive bike and wheel i may go down the lengths of using a dishing tool and spoke tensioner., but all in all i found this very helpful. Thanks

[@adamnallamner8333]

Best video out there for wheel building! Great help :)

[@mrjubjub]

This video helped me build a perfectly laced wheel. The vid is simple and better than ones I found on youtube which leave out a step or have bad camera angles.

[@andyb7339]

Very good 👍

[@ponuryrybak]

Thanks, Now my bike is ready to ride!!! WOOHHOOOOOOOOO! P.S. Voice is beatiful!

[@motojan2305]

Super video! Sam se bom lotil enakega popravila, vendar na motokros motorju. Na tem videju sem dobil kar nekaj dobrih idej oziroma nasvetov! Hvala!

[@jaszerullez8593]

Great voice! It's like a honey to my ears, thank you.

[@smillar98]

Excellent video. I'm going to have to watch it again while I'm lacing.

[@hakanyldrm759]

great video

[@freyfreymarcelo503]

Hi. Is there a difference size of front wheel and rear wheel lacing?

[@FreeJibril]

this is legitimately the most clear and straighforward "how to build a wheel" video I've found

[@andrewkaucher9376]

PERFECT EXPLANATION. Thank you!!

[@andrewkaucher9376]

Wasn't sure if this was the video I used to build my last wheel. Saw my own comment! THANK YOU AGAIN.

[@ckamireddy]

Wonderful video. Best lacing video that I have found and obviously videos are better than text when it comes to this stuff. My only issue is that when I did it my valve hole wasn't correctly boxed by the spokes. Use shorter valve stems and it does't really matter anyway. But she does explain that you need to drop the spokes in relative to the other side of the flange but it's still a great video for a first build like mine.

[@namibia100]

This video helped me build a wheel after several failed attempts. I had to stop and replay certain sections, but it all made sense and the wheel came out perfect. They do leave out a few key points, such as the spoke hole offset (not all in a straight line). I am saving this for the next time I build a wheel.

[@fathybalamita1537]

Thank you for the great video.

[@johnmellor3048]

Thank you very much for posting this. I just followed it exactly to build a wheel and it went perfect. For those commenting on accent or mastery of English, I would ask them how many languages can they speak?

[@user-jx2kI4iz7z]

Superb

[@anthonyescobedo2142]

By far the best video to make it easy to get it done!

[@taxcasela1691]

Thanks.

[@VijayVasve]

Thanks a lot for this video

[@jonienglish3231]

very good video and nice voice

[@another1800]

Followed this step-by-step and rims turned out beautiful!! BIG thank you for posting this video!!!

[@jc-mt8ot]

This is the best video on the web on lacing a wheel. Great job.

[@Bengismo]

This is a great video, clearly explains how anyone (even an idiot) can correctly lace a wheel in a 3 cross pattern without any mistakes. All instructions are nice and clear. I like her accent too, its nice.....well apart from the bit where she says each spoke should cross over two other spokes then go under a turd :).

[@smotrovy]

Спасибо за практическое видео перекопал весь интернет понятьней чем у тебя не нашел.

[@ilcomendante]

@Bikebook channel. You have produced a top notch instructional video, but seem not to understand the criticism to the voiceover (?) . I can guarantee you this video would be far more popular with people searching for lacing guides with an updated version.

[@pLaCiDMoOoN]

Great tutorial! I will definitely use this video as a reference for my wheel build. Thanks! By the way this is one of the better wheel building videos... I've seen a lot.

[@thothheartmaat2833]

the only thing i don't understand is different size spokes. should I be using different size spokes on the same wheel? should I measure my old ones from the rim to the j bend or what?

[@thothheartmaat2833]

I used all the same size and actually none of them seem bent at all. it must depend on how you weave them. my holes were opposite the ones in the video. they should be on the same side as the side of the hub you're working on.

[@VideoNOLA]

@@TheRollingResistance Somehow you omitted mention of disc brakes (something the narrator keeps referring to), in which case the brake side typically takes slightly shorter spokes, due to the greater width of the hub flange on that side. True on the non-drive side of front wheels with disc brakes, and on the drive side of rear wheels for proper dishing.

[@smalladventures7729]

Thank you!

[@demigod3006]

What if you only have a one size length of spokes? Is it still possible to do this?

[@agentstank2578]

Yes

[@jameylane9196]

How do you go about balancing the wheel when you start from scratch?

[@45rpm.]

Just laced my front wheel, kept pausing the video for each step. Had no problems. I have done it once before but this time went more smoothly. I use bits of cardboard taped to the frame to true wheels and have never had a problem with that method and I've done quite a few.

[@alantaylor6691]

Do you put the bike on a bike stand to true the wheels?

[@CncObsession]

Flip the bike over or hang it from the nose of the saddle, like on a branch of a tree. @@alantaylor6691

[@alantaylor6691]

@@CncObsession Thank you!

[@jayanthabandara9872]

👍❤️

[@ThePurplesmurple]

helpful vid it shows you what the books leave out.....

[@oakeyb]

I need help. By the time I got to the third round, the spokes would no longer reach the rim. I did rotate the hub counter-clockwise as instructed after round two of spokes. I'm using the same size spokes because the flange on both sides of my hub is the same size. Any ideas?

[@ninobustos8410]

Brantley Oakey Super late but maybe someone else might get help from my reply. I thought the whole time after disassembling my wheel that I needed a 3 cross pattern when I really needed to put it back together with 2 cross pattern. 4.5 hours later

[@bikebook]

Thanks ;)

[@craiglanglo3674]

Scarlett Johansson is ugly ? I used this to lace up a 28 hole Bontrager race light rim and a bontrager hub with different size flanges ..just like the one in the vid.. this was the first ever attem,pt never even knew about three cross... and it was very clear.I now have a perfect first attempt..only thing that confused me was what she said at 2:30 (as mentioned somewhere else in the comments) .. but it didn't matter .. i could have figured it out watching with no sound...thanks i dont see how people can say this is a bad video.. .. and its obviously a female with perfect english with a russian accent.....

[@cup_and_cone]

The very last step you mention about checking radial/vertical true is grossly out of place. You should be checking radial/vertical true as soon as you start to tension the wheels. In fact, you should be checking it while you also are doing lateral truing.

[@seanhornchek6440]

AMAZING THANK YOU!

[@ka81alex]

0:35 isn't it an error?? i mean about rear wheel. on rear hub shorter spokes must be on drive side (not rotor side)!

[@marchamilton7668]

She should state, "remember, if it's the front wheel disc side, or rear wheel *drive side, these are the **shorter spokes". *drive side is the cassette side. **because they will be tensioned higher to pull the wheel to center. Excellent video, one of the easiest to understand and video angles are instructional in themselves.

[@MrTchupam]

do you know how to instal the spokes in other pattern? its like a star, ive seen it in 24 holes rims. Thanks good video

[@Ircam16]

Yeah but I think you would agree that muting a video whose point is to explain something kind of complexe, and which is doing so by speaking, is non sense. I agree that a voice centered video has to have a voice of quality (in terms of understanding, audibility, and ease). If the quality of the voice isn't good, the video isn't.

[@ivankristofferantonino6817]

does she said that if you're using a hub for disk brake rotor, you must use a shorter spokes?

[@misa506]

Yes, I guess for balancing the length of the cassette/disk brake. I am no expert on the matter but I figure you can get the same effect with just tightening a bit more the spokes on that side, right? But being careful for the spoke to not protrude into the tube region (but I doubt it would be that long, really)...

[@smillar98]

That sentence at 2:30 blows my mind everytime.

[@sega62s]

That has to be the best voice over artist :O)

[@kyprijan]

синяя изолента творит чудеса)

[@ChrisVayos]

It is by far the best video about how to lace a wheel. It shows exactly what you need to know. I understand that it is not in plain english but you can do the job only by looking the images. I could also get married to the voice. ^_^

[@berndlauert9781]

bikebook is from Slovenia :)

[@ericjohncamina5310]

what do you call that tool in 5:28?

[@collins27023]

It's called a spoke key

[@horsey604]

Philip the wheel over

[@ErikJet]

Awesome video and instructions! Jimmy McDowell rod, is full of crap.

[@jonienglish3231]

you can also use Chopsticks

[@jimmcdowell6000]

The video isn't that great but her voice is wonderful.

[@seanhornchek6440]

I think the exact opposite

[@allbunsglazing]

Me too. Can't finish the video.

[@noticeddinosaur9494]

Second one here still cool

[@henryhelen09]

This video is for the people who can't get enough of 1 800 customer support .

[@pLaCiDMoOoN]

henryhelen09 That's some extremely funny stuff you've mentioned:))

[@rishadop189]

Super

[@wrxsubaru02]

I liked the voice and accent. :-)

[@CoupleOfCritics]

Is that Cristina's voice? Guess all I needed was for her to tell me how to do it. I screwed up two times before this video, so thank you!

[@andrewnorris5415]

2:53 - 3rd set 4:36 4th set

[@RandomUser_online]

Welk you could use zip ties that that chunk of wood

[@harrytupek]

a kto to kulna :)

[@CaptanTaco]

Neeple lol

[@HaasGrotesk]

Let me guess! Shaved legs, you're aerodynamic! $5000 bike, 4kg light, 36 gears, spandex. Thinking you're better than anyone else! Great advice on the zip tie though! Why don't you make a video on how to true a wheel on the cheap! Not everyone is building 15 wheels a week so it's not necessary for a truing stand. But taking your advice you could use a zip tie and true it vertically! I'm really expecting a decent video on truing from you!

[@alantaylor6691]

They didn't use a truing stand.

[@VigilantX9]

2:27 --> dont understand what shes saying.. then it skips tothe 3rd set of spokes.. and here i am with the 1st spoke of the 2nd set installed

[@BogdanGabrielMarinica]

she said nipple.he he

[@felixchiang]

The voice made me feel anxious somehow.. Sounds very depressing...

[@thothheartmaat2833]

Russians and eastern Europeans are a very sad people. what with Chernobyl and the great war and all..

[@modestaguevara7365]

Felix Chiang musica

[@aNOMaly_..]

*R* 😂 sorry but I had to Nice tutorial tho

[@Ivan.s88]

russian english ?

[@mrfrogg46able]

i like the girls russian accent

[@E27MAX60W1]

derrrr is a myut buttun yiu knuuuw JOKE :D

[@bikebook]

There is a mute button you know.

[@user-nn3el1vo6m]

Very good thanks. Rasha Rostw n dony. Kamensk Shahtinskii. +.

[@TomLangford001]

Sure got hairy arms for a girl

[@PerfectWoodGrain]

"Trad da neeple onto da spoke tree tams..." Um... I will do that.

[@Fre4kize]

Js vam resno priporocam da ta zenska ne govori ker unici cel video kot prvo mi gre na živce kot drugo je angleščina slaba :) Ne nc zamert nc slabga ne mislm sam nej bo tko k je blo ucas k si napisu pa je velik bols izpadl :) Drgac pa bravo in cim več videjov :) LP

[@E27MAX60W1]

Stop lying!

[@intr0duse]

nice english, bro xD

[@mersodion]

Nice Video, but the english is absolut horrible

[@neptunevibe]

Russians...