Build a Wheel with only the Basics

Bookmark both of these pages:
Spoke Length Calculator: leonard.io/edd/
Sheldon Brown Tutorial for Wheel Building/Trueing: www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbui...
Patreon (Make the Warehouse Dream a Reality):
/ spindatt
Merchandise Site:
spindatt.com
Amazon Shop:
USA: www.amazon.com/shop/spindatt
Canada: www.amazon.ca/shop/spindatt
*
Music By: Brock Berrigan
www.brockberrigan.com
bit.ly/BrockSpotify
Curious About My Gear?
=======The Goods======
Tan Wall Tires: amzn.to/2MKIeAd
My Favorite Sealant: amzn.to/2SEqsSR
Fenders: amzn.to/2rKjErG
Garmin Watch: amzn.to/37quAKc
The Best Bars: amzn.to/2QF0iwu
Bartape: amzn.to/2ZCLIdd
Warm Riding Gloves: amzn.to/39sgkm7
=========Tools========
Allen Keys: amzn.to/2FPBXgV
Screwdrivers: amzn.to/2pfBKxp
Metric Wrenches: amzn.to/2HG9jiS
Tire Levers: amzn.to/2DyUc8g
Cable Cutters: amzn.to/2pfDAhS
Chain Breaker: amzn.to/2FZZa3d
Chain Whip: amzn.to/2tUdXI3
Cassette Tool: amzn.to/2pi9k4Y
Spoke Wrench: amzn.to/2FPCorz
Crank Puller: amzn.to/2plgK8g
Square Taper Socket: amzn.to/2plgK8g
Bottom Bracket Tool: amzn.to/2HFkmsv
Cheeeeap Tool Kit: amzn.to/2FG9MRs
========Camera========
Big Camera: amzn.to/35rbAdg
Microphone: amzn.to/2ZYNup5
Riding Camera: amzn.to/36s7vXC
Chest Camera: amzn.to/2ZQo1yb
=======Budget Bike=======
Poseidon X: goo.gl/JsZ36J
Schwinn Bikes: www.schwinnbikes.com/

[@chancecsmith]

This was more concise than other wheel building but just as accurate. I’ve built many wheels but not always the right way. And not frequently enough to avoid using a tutorial. This will be my new reference.

[@glennpettersson9002]

I have always found the Dark Arts fascinating. I am going to have a go, wish me luck!

[@AbderrahmenBesbes]

u might hate doing tutorial videos but this one is a FREACKING legend (y) i'm truly enlightened

[@TheProjectsimpson]

I've read Sheldon Browns wheel building theory's. I've taken a wheel building course from the Winterbourne bicycle institute. I've tried to build numerous wheels on my own. THESE ARE THE EASIEST AND MOST CONSICE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE INTERNET! following your instruction has lead me to success on a few wheels now. Thank you for this!

[@davidburgess741]

About the best tutorial yet. Built lots of wheels but mostly copy from an assembled one. True my wheels with nose of saddle suspended, wouldn't have to unlearn intuitive direction turning spoke nipples from above. Also found slightly taco'd rims can be brought closer to straight using a large saw table to check where to correct the bend. The sharp edges of the table to focus the bending force you apply. Recheck every force application. Of course you have to unlace the spokes or slacken all of them for this to work.

[@derekmosher4561]

It`s been 30 years since my last wheel build and you just reminded me why lol . Always been a pain in the ass for me . Helpful vid on the build , good job.

[@IPLongboarders]

3:08, this shot... wow love it!

[@NickNiemiec]

You are getting so much better at tutorials! And you seem to do it in a style that works for you - skipping a lot of the fluff but still showing the operative interesting parts.

[@AyataniAsha]

This was very helpful, thanx.

[@BennytheJohnson1]

Thanks to your demo and reference material I was able to rebuild my rear wheel and 95% true the original wheelset of my Specialized Epic Comp! As I got the hang of it I was able to, and I'm not joking, use my thumb (in lieu of a zip tie) for humps and shallows and it actually worked! Thanks much! Subscribed.

[@cjohnson3836]

When its all said and done, this will be your most watched video. Honestly, this is great timing as I'm wanting a new set of wheels. I also need my current wheels retuned but that's going to put me out with them for about 3 weeks, which puts my commuter out for 3 weeks. Or, I build up wheels good enough to baby around town while the dailies are tuned. Then once those are back, have the shop grade my build and dial it in. I know tutorial vids are slow burners but right now they are probably more needed than ever. And wheel building is this black box that most youtubers don't seem to want to touch. Thanks man

[@hidefnick]

That Norco looks so good...

[@murphykenji]

Great tutorial. I've built a few wheels and I still always pull up Sheldon Brown's wheel build page as a reference.

[@Miginath]

Your content lately has really resonated with me. I like the mix of technical and lifestyle. I am a newly minted Patreon supporter as I really hope you can eventually start doing this full time. Keep it up!

[@Joshuakoffmansculpture]

Totally helpful! And encouraging. Was wondering if I would enjoy building a wheelset. Now I think I will. Thanks.

[@christiankilleen7626]

I know you don't consider yourself a good teacher, and this isn't your usual style, but I think you did way better than you think you did. It was well explained, easy to follow steps and example shots, and I like that you sourced other content creators to use their expertise and skill. I'd happily follow this for my first wheel build to see if I catch the bug. Thanks for making this vid.

[@BradWadeNL]

Fantastic! Simply put and no fuss. I built my first wheel 2 years ago and it was the best feeling ever.

[@sejomiguel]

After many attempts this time finally Turner out right. You're the best.

[@johnhanley9946]

Rim brakes are great for truing wheels, and to dish the wheel you can just flip it around and put it in the other way to check if it's touching the gauge the same way on the other side.

[@sorenmeyer7347]

Thanks for the video! I requested it in your last q&a post and was very happy when i saw it in my feed 12 minutes ago :) i recently built a fixed gear rear wheel the same way and found no really good videos on the subject. This one should make life way easier for future first wheelbuilders.

[@shaun89759]

I think you made a great tutorial.

[@nickpoole9643]

This was a very helpful video! For me, the hardest part by far is just remembering how to get the spokes started. I will now be referencing this video every time i build a wheel. Thanks!!!!

[@randyhale4181]

I think wheel building is a art in itself, thanks Eric for the art lesson.🙏🏻

[@Arachmana]

That was a perfect how to! You even have a follow up material. Very thoughtful.

[@francoisrdt]

Thank you so much!

[@michaeltillman886]

I've built a lot of wheels back in the day. You are good.

[@andyamos8594]

Brilliant! Yet another fantastic Tuesday tinker to set a spark of trying it out in our minds!

[@BernieHoule]

This winter I will have to give this a try with some old wheels I have that I don’t care if I F them up. Thanks for showing us the ropes.

[@jonnyrob9242]

Great work this dude! 🙌 Nice to see a wheel building video done in layman’s terms.

[@arnoldwiggins7834]

Thankyou. I built a set of sew ups once, but never dished the rear wheel. Very helpful

[@drewf69]

I've never built a wheel but I found this video great and I'm going to give it a crack and see how it goes. I love the low cost idea which makes it really approachable for people. Great vid!

[@sickunit2096]

Nice video! I built several wheel-sets with the “fork-truing stand” before getting a truing stand and spoke tension gauge and all that nonsense. Sheldon Brown’s site is so helpful too.

[@hidde50]

Just built a wheelset myself today! Great to see more info on wheel builing

[@stuartpotter4923]

awesome content... simple enough to be engaging but informative enough to be useful. Mostly did the job of demystifying enough to prompt some folk (me) to give it a go and warning of the key points to be aware of. I'd say wheel building is the biggest dark-art/witchcraftien part of home mechanics that us tinkerers would like to be able to attempt. Only thing above this is building your own frame... but with that comes a workshop and welding equipment. I regard sensible home mechanics as stuff I can potentially take on in the kitchen without upsetting my partner tooooo much. Wheel building definitely falls into that :-)

[@Nicoya]

I’ve never used a dishing tool and never needed to: just put the wheel in whatever you’re using as a truing stand and line up the feeler on one side of the rim. Then pop the wheel out, flip it 180 and drop it back in. If the feeler is lined up, the wheel is dished correctly. (Works on everything except wheels built with one of the few rare offset hub standards, and maybe Cannondale lefty wheels)

[@garethhelliwell9736]

Great tutorial dude. I learnt to built wheels back in the 90's in a bike shop I worked in. I would lace a wheel one side at a time, but hey it all gets the same results and there is loads of different why of getting there. They is nothing more satisfying than building a wheel then taking it out for a ride knowing that you built it.

[@kimuelabayon]

Great vid very easy to follow for beginners. Another thing you can do to make you wheels look mo pro is aligning the logos of the hubs to the valve hole. On a 3 cross build. You can do this by putting your "key spoke" 3 holes after the hole that is centered on the logo.

[@kellymckenzie4865]

I know you have it but thank you for making this. It's super helpful and I really want to jump into my first wheel build. I've been thinking about it for a while but like most people it seems like magic and I am no wizard. I have plenty of garbage wheels so I'll just break down and build one back up.

[@Zeben84]

RJ has a good DIY dishing tool tutorial !

[@jacoblaird7095]

Love it!

[@jimroriguez6269]

Hey I found this to be a really great video very helpful thank you very much makes me want to try it thanks again

[@SiopaoSauc3]

Built my first pair just a couple of weekends ago. Pair of fixie wheels are nice place to start. You can get away using 1 length of spoke for both wheels. GCN video wheebuillding with DT Swiss was the video I used for reference.

[@robj3773]

Thanks for making that. I want to do one just for the fun of it. Although I don’t think it’s cost effective verse just buying a new wheel...

[@nickpoole9643]

Finallyyyyyyyy. Thanks!

[@123Purple]

ali clarksons video on wheel building is what got me through my first build

[@stevensmith2228]

You make wheel building seem so much fun! But really, I am going to have to try it just for the experience. I have a feeling I will enjoy it a lot

[@markjthomson]

Yes indeed, I have one of those spoke keys... was working on a bike recently that one didn't fit for... turns out there are other sizes as well... who knew... I now have 2 spoke keys! :)

[@kristiandawe85]

this is a good one, thanks for this, wheel building is something i always wanted to learn, this video really helps.

[@guillaumecasbas5267]

A reminder of basics never hurts ! Now I want to build my own set of wheels .. even if I don’t have a truing stand 🤨

[@Ming3r]

Love the wheel build vids. I followed yours and Ali Clarkson's videos when I built up my Ryde Kit from Velomine.

[@natahnschenk888]

I personally really enjoyed it I like learning more even though I might not do it myself i appreciate your effort to explain how to do it on a more basic level great video 👍

[@tacticalceo685]

Great video I thought you explain it rather well I think we all learned a lot keep the videos coming and thank you .

[@EireGTi]

Definitely enjoyed this. I've read Jobst Brandt's book and it's really interesting but your video was definitely a lot easier to take in

[@danl2294]

The only thing i have never learnt to do myself on a bike. Oh and suspension service. Just seems to much to get correct with out the proper tools.

[@the1andonly]

It definitely helps. You should see my "wheel Building Safari". I'm a long time novice who has built up two wheels like the one you're showing. Both times I was looking at a finished wheel for reference while doing it. Now I'm building one from random old parts and spoke length was th first big bling block..

[@ROBinJVILLE]

ive built a good amount of wheels in my day and it still worries the shit out of me everytime i embark on a new wheel build.

[@owenwood6298]

Great Video. Something I would really like to have a go at. Would you recommend pulling an old unwanted wheel apart to try and rebuild it or buying new bits

[@BernieHoule]

If you have old wheels that would be the best way. $0.00 entry point and you know the parts fit.

[@stu3845]

Can we have ProleteR back sometime? Feels like April showers was your defining tune

[@guitarfreakfalko]

The one thing i had trouble with, was knowing where exactly to start with the spokes in the rim. I didnt like to just have someone tell me an instruction without me knowing, what the possibilities are. At first there are the holes in the rim that correspond to the left or right hub flange. I found you can start on the left or the right side, you dont need to start on the right side. The first two spokepairs are essentially radial spokes. The following two crossing pairs are what defines the wheel as 2x,3xor4x crossed. Also it doesnt realy matter if you start infront of the valve hole or after the valve hole. You just have to twist the hub clockwise, if you start behind the valve or counterclockwise if you start in front of the valve, so that the first two spokepairs look/turn away from the valve hole. Knowing that i can much more freely/with ease lace a wheel. Still there are more possibile ways to lace a wheel. Ive seen that shimano is recommending to lace the drive side in a different way than the left/brake side. Thats where it gets a little bit more complicated. Should the leading spoke be on the inside, or on the outside? Should the trailing spokes allways be on the inside or the outside? Shimano recommends that the spokes that will encounter the most force on it (so the once that are pulling to the rim) to be on the outside... so on the driveside that are the trailing spokes and on the left side the leading spokes. I found this to be somewhat logical, but im not shure if it realy matters, or if its just a faster to lace the wheels like that from the factory.

[@SahleMesfin]

What are thebulding andalament weelspok beles

[@Pillokun]

To be frank, if you ad grease on a thread you may increase the risk of over torquing the thread. So grease is not always suited for a thread so to speak. But on the other hand I doubt thread on the spokes to be threaded in the nipple is that a made with very high tolerances or need that much torque. Just wanted to let some people know that greasing a bolt or an axle with threads is not always the right thing to do especially on motor vehicles.(just some unnecessary information from a former worker at Volvo) On motorcycle it sometimes is enough of 6-7nm to over tighten a bolt if you have grease on it for instances.

[@cphcyclemaniac]

Why gradually build tension? I just use my screwing machine to build tension up until I see no threads (one spoke at a time)

[@davidburgess741]

This would only work if you had exactly the correct spoke length. Usually what happens is the spokes get so tight near the end the last few don't go. The other situation is you get to the end and the spokes are still slack. Spoke length is so critical.

[@Metal-Possum]

If you don't lace your wheels up so you can read the hub label through the valve hole, you're a nobody, and will always be a nobody until you can get it right. :D Also, the key spoke should be head out, immediately next to the valve hole. Not sure what kind of crackpot lacing you're doing here but it looked like you started one hole too far? The valve hole should have spokes running away from it to provide clearance for even the biggest of pump heads, this is especially important on smaller diameter wheels.

[@Spindatt]

i knew a fellow wheel builder would arrive to offer this kind of insight! thankfully, this hub has zero labels to line up, so omit omit omit! also.. sounds like you like to lace a wheel 180 degrees around from what i do. i like to drop the spokes in from the upward facing flange.. and if i laced to the first hole next to the valve hole, with a twist to the right it would be on the wrong side of the rim center line. thanks for the added input! different proceedures for building is always fun to discuss!

[@Metal-Possum]

@@Spindatt Yeah, most rims are annoyingly drilled to frustrate clockwise builders. I just lace up the far side first to compensate, or work anti clockwise. Some will believe the drive side spokes of a rear wheel need to be a particular orientation to combat a chain dropping in behind the cassette, or to minimize spoke contact with the derailer under heavy pedalling loads. I said heads out, meaning the spoke dropping in from outside, so you can read the mark on the spoke head. It makes it easier to finish off if you leave the heads in spokes for the grand finale. Haven't built too many wheels over the years, but I do get paid for doing it, which is a bonus. I guess it's like square tapered cranks, you can grease them or not, somebody will always share their opinion, or ignorance, or sheep-like behaviour, but we'll be balls deep in a forum thread and no better off.

[@bds2610]

Even I have done it (till now 4 wheels). All thanks to lockdown, and bike shops being closed.

[@chancecsmith]

Built a new wheel last night btw.

[@gregclark4870]

It's a bad day when you don't have a square gap at you're valve hole. It can be painful. I understand this process of wheel building but most will need waaaaaay more instruction. Not sure if using a damaged wheel was the best choice, but its what you had? Most important was the reference websites and use of proper tools. Get ready for some technical bike mechanic comments. Congrats on your instructional video.

[@Spindatt]

Oh definitely would have better to use new parts, but I had a garbage wheel that could be taken apart and used for this video so I bent it back to somewhat shape on a 2x4 and went to town haha With the valve hole gap, I was just hoping that the instructions would be followed so new builders wouldn’t even need to think and the grouping would land where it should. Too much information on your first build can be a hurdle in of itself

[@Wartzay]

Instructions very clear, still confused AF

[@acetylcholine3]

Omfg, i LITERALLY just bought my 1st hub and i'm gonna cannibalize some other wheels and build a flip flop wheel.

[@josephawatson]

rj the bike guy made a dishing tool to show it can be done for those who dont have one. watch?v=DaWZ_uoE9TY

[@letskeepearthgreen]

" . "

[@Robinators]

Join the dark side.. Not everyone is born a jedi.