Wheelbuilding..how much?

[Harryburgundy]

Sorry, I guess this might have been asked time and time again, but
I have decided the wheels on my little Kona Koa project are not good enough.
I have some nice Rhyno rims from Nick hanging around...a NOS XTR M900 front hub. Would just need to source a 36H rear hub.
Then there is the cost of spokes and building etc.
How much is this likely to cost, a few months back my LBS gave a guesstimate at £80ish for both wheel build and spokes...+ I would have to buy a rear hub.
Thing is, for that kind of money I could probably hold out and buy a good 2nd set.
Any thoughts?
Cheers
Carl

 

[kaiser]

I've just bought spokes for a build at £45, so £35 for labour I'm guessing ain't too bad.

 

[stavros222]

I'm sure the cost at my LBS (Will's Wheels, Stockport) is £25 for the build inc. spokes (as long as you provide the rim and hub). I'd have to double check this though!

 

[OrangeRetro]

Spokes are £15 a wheel for DB from CRC...

honestly, give it a go and build them yourself. The single hardest thing about building wheels is getting the correct spoke lengths. Once you've got those, simply follow the instructions on Sheldon Browns website. Just make sure you give the spokes some stick in the tensioning phase. You don't need a wheel stand, you can dish them in your frame/forks using centred cantis as a guide. I built the wheels on my P7 with Sun CR17 rims, with are notorious for buckling, and they are still running straight after 3 months.

PM is you want to give it a go, I have a great spreadsheet at work that calculates retro hub/rim spoke lengths.

 

[kaiser]

Following OrangeRetro's post how cack handed are you? I'm having a go at my first wheel sometime this week. Just always been something I've wanted to do. Rite of passage and all that.

 

[kaiser]

BTW the price I quoted was for 2 wheels worth(64) of black dt swiss competitions plus 3 spare spokes.

 

[cannondale king]

you should leave wheel building alone unless you know what your doing it will go wrong other wise just leave it to the profesional's remember when you get them built by a pro you pay for the quality of the build not just cos they want money. remember you get what you pay for you buy cheap or cut corners your not gonna get much and trust me wheel building is an art you cant just jump in and be good straight away it takes time and practice. spoke tenshions have to be lmost equal all round or 6 months down the line you will pop spokes or pop eyelets on rims. just get them done by a pro its safer and you get a garentee with them.

 

[Russell]

Or take time to learn it yourself, add another useful skill to your repertoire and gain the satisfaction of knowing that you can build wheels?

Just a thought.

 

[Dave_H]

honestly, give it a go and build them yourself. The single hardest thing about building wheels is getting the correct spoke lengths. Once you've got those, simply follow the instructions on Sheldon Browns website.

The only other faff can be just the final adjusting to get them spot on true and perfect. That's the point I get bored at.

To get round the spoke length, go to your LBS with your hubs and rims and get them to spec the spokes so you've at least got some come back if they're the wrong length. If you tell them what your doing and take a pack of biscuits in for them, they'll be more than helpful IME.

you should leave wheel building alone unless you know what your doing it will go wrong

There's very little to go wrong TBH. In the absolute worst case, you end up chewing all the nipples up and you take it back to your LBS to fit new nipples and true the wheel. You've already laced the spokes so some of the labour costs are now gone.

Build the wheel and if you want to be extra cautious, take it to your LBS for a final true up and check over. Can't see that costing you more than a tenner.

 

[OrangeRetro]

It does take time to get it right, but it is rewarding at the end of the day. I honestly can't see any issues if you follow the clear advise available.

Just make sure that you lace them right, tighten the spokes equally, bed the spokes in, and then tension them properly.

I'd advise any one to have a go, its not a black art or rocket science. Wheels just look complicated, thats all!