Wheel truing is the only mechanical work on bikes that I outsource. I know from my experience on my last projects that I do not have the patience, tools and probably also skill to accomplish this task on my own… I’m going to get these four beauties to my local wheel builder! He’s a great guy and helped me out with a custom wheel set for my last build. Now he’ll help me with two urban bike builds – LX/Rigida for my GF and XT/Araya for myself. Stoked for the results!
Am I the only one here who outsources this work??
by Ok_Relation_7506
6 Comments
Knowing your limitations is a strength and not a weakness.
I have done it myself for some wheels and outsourced for others. There’s a lot of satisfaction when you can do it yourself but it’s incredibly tedious if you’re not into it. 🤷♂️
I have built 2 wheels, one worked the other did not. I think I agree with OP some things are better to buy than diy.
I outsource the spoke sizing, cause I don’t want to mess it up, then just plop myself in front of the TV and build the wheels myself.
I’ve been a professional wheel builder for 30 years, and I am still honing my technique. Tools and parts have gotten a lot better in that time. The strength and stiffness of modern rims is mind blowing when compared to the shallow box section rims of the 80’s and 90’s. It’s much easier to get away with poor relative tension on today’s rims, as the rims themselves are so inherently strong. The vintage stuff takes a bit more finesse and requires even and uniform tension for long term strength. It is not often I see them anymore, but I do enjoy when a customer brings in some older rims and hubs like these for a fresh build. I will usually come in a few hours early, brew a nice cup of coffee, and take a nice long time really dialing the build. Great looking wheels there!
If you understand how to replace a spoke and true a wheel, you can lace your own. They are really hard to mess up. The hardest part is not wobble but the radial truing.