Replacing the spokes on a bicycle wheel, known as wheel building, can seem like a daunting task. There is a specific formula, however, to building a bicycle wheel that, if followed carefully will allow you to put a wheel together properly. Different wheels have different numbers of spokes and different formulas for fitting spokes to the wheel. Here, we will examine how to assemble a 32 spoke rim.
Step 1
Place the wheel rim on a flat surface with the valve hole at the 12 o'clock position. Place the hub in the center of the wheel rim with the right side of the hub facing up.
Step 2
Insert a spoke through the underside of one of the hub spoke holes. Insert the spoke through the upper hole in the wheel rim right of the valve hole. Attach a spoke nipple to the end of the spoke.
Step 3
Insert another spoke through the hub spoke hole underside, two holes to the right. Insert the spoke through the upper hole in the wheel rim four holes over from the last installed spoke. Attach a spoke nipple. Repeat the step six times for a total of eight spokes.
Step 4
Rotate the hub to the right. Insert a spoke into one of the remaining spoke holes from the outside of the hub rim. Move the spoke to the right and cross it under two of the installed spokes. Insert the spoke through the upper hole in the wheel rim between the two spokes closest to the end of the new spoke. Repeat this around the hub until all spokes are in place on this side.
Step 5
Flip the wheel over. Locate the open hole in the wheel rim just to the right of the valve hole. Trace the spoke to the right of the hole to the hub. Insert a spoke through the hub spoke hole underside that is 1/2 step counterclockwise from the hole for the traced spoke. Insert the spoke through the upper hole in the wheel rim to the right of the valve hole. Attach a spoke nipple.
Step 6
Insert a spoke through the underside of the hub spoke hole that is two holes to the right of the last installed spoke. Insert the spoke through the upper hole in the wheel rim four holes to the right of the last installed spoke. Attach a spoke nipple. Repeat this step six times to complete eight installed spokes on the left side.
Step 7
Insert a spoke into one of the remaining spoke holes from the outside of the hub rim. Cross the spoke to the right under the two of the upper spokes. Insert the spoke through the hole in the wheel rim between the two spokes closest to the end of the new spoke. Repeat this step around the hub so all spokes are in place on the right side of the wheel.
Step 8
Tap each spoke with the plastic mallet to remove its bend. Working around the wheel, tighten the spoke nipples one full turn until the spokes are tight. If the wheel is a rear wheel, tighten the right spokes more than the left to accommodate the offset for the gear set. Install the gear set.
Step 9
Adjust the spokes to true the wheel both horizontally and vertically in the truing stand. Use a dishing tool to measure the left or right position of the hub to the wheel rim. Adjust the spokes to center the hub.
Things You'll Need
- Spoke wrench
- Truing stand
- Dishing wheel
- Spokes
- Spoke nipples
- Wheel rim
- Wheel hub
- Plastic mallet
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