Wheel building advice for a first timer

[Mikey08]

Ive decided to have a go at building my first set of wheels and jumping in at the deep end with straight pull hubs and asymmetric rims

While looking up the best and lightest spokes for straight pull hubs many seemed to recommend bladed spokes as its easier to hold the spoke while tightening the nipple. This led me to look at Sapim CX Rays and DT Aerolite but the prices were shockingly expensive.

So I called a chap at customspokes.co.uk who was really helpful and willing to chat. He told me straight pull hubs can be built with round spokes and actually recommended it over aero spokes for a MTB wheel. The advice was to use pliers with inner tube to hold the spoke and protect it from damage.

Does anyone have any experience with building on straight pull hubs and can offer any tips or advice please?

Im not sure if I'll do the lacing then find a builder to do the final truing or grab a cheap wheel stand of Ali Express and have a go myself.

Also on the spokes themselves, I want the lightest final build possible so is it worth going for something like Sapim Laser over the slightly heavier Race spokes?

Cheers

 

[grantoury]

I have built two wheels recently with normal j ended spokes and straight flange hubs, but holding the spoke in place while tensioning seems like a weird way to do it. I use linseed oil for the thread on the spoke, so the spoke doesn't twist. I was able to follow a wheel building course and picked it up there.

 

[Mikey08]

Thanks for the tip on linseed oil.

Straight pull spokes can spin in the hole hence the need to hold them with something while tightening

 

[benjabbi]

Round spokes in straight pull hubs are fine once you get a little bit of tension into them but yes you do have to hold them upto that point.
Which can be a pain in the arse and even with the bit of tube it's quite easy to mark the spokes if black. They can also be a pain later on if there's any hint of seizing
Bladed spokes are much less hassle, especially for your first go.

 

[grantoury]

Thanks for the tip on linseed oil.

Straight pull spokes can spin in the hole hence the need to hold them with something while tightening

Right, didn't think of that. I would start with a standard wheel, tbh. It is a complicated job with many things to go wrong.