Learn to build your own wheels
£45.00 - group
£60.00 - private
Next class - 26/02/12
3.00 - 7.00pm
Where is it?
Wheel building classes
Since I first floated the idea of running workshops or classes on the lfgss forum in July 2010 there has been a lot of interest in classes that I'm running. So I'm now making it official and adding this page to my wheel site as another service that I'm offering. The content of the classes will be similar to what I cover in the video tutorials that you can find on this site linked from YouTube. The pictures below are from that first session.
Classes usually take place in my back garden with a maximum number of four in order for me to give you as much individual attention as I can. Obviously this is dependent on the weather, in which case we'll go indoors.
Lacing up a wheel 3-cross (left)
Using a nipple guide (right)
Truing a new wheel (left)
Replacing a rim and lacing (right)
What will I cover in the class?
I'll be covering more or less what I've covered in my set of video tutorials. The class will be run more like a workshop with the focus being on you actually building a wheel and me helping rather than the more traditional lecture style where I demonstrate and you observe. I will be talking and demoing but mainly answering questions and helping. There are two truing stands for the session so you'll be alternating between lacing and truing. I will aim to cover all the topics listed below but am willing to deviate from the plan to answer specific points raised that day or spend more time on any difficulties experienced.
I must add my usual disclaimer here. You'll be learning my way of lacing 3-cross wheels and tensioning and truing them. This may not be the same as other methods that you will have seen in books. I'm not DT Swiss trained nor have I ever worked as a mechanic in bike shop. But I have built hundreds of wheels since 2004 when I first started and have had good feedback about their strength and reliability. I'm not very knowledgeable about the trigonometry or the physics of bicycle wheels.
- 3-cross lacing
- truing and tensioning
- spoke length calculations (I can help with this prior to the session)
- advice on tools
What you need to bring:
- Parts: Rims, hubs, spokes, rim tape, nipples
- Tools: Spoke key (3.2mm), stubby screwdriver, jam jar lid (for your nipples), oil
- Food: drinks, snacks (I will provide tea, coffee etc)
- Notes: camera, notepad
Feel free to contact me if you need help working out your spoke lengths. I will be showing you how to do this on the day but you'll need to bring spokes with you! You can of course ask your LBS to help. Any type of oil will be fine, even the cheap 3 in 1 oil from your local pound shop. I normally use wet chain lube such as Green Oil.
Booking and Payments
I have three categories of classes at the moment. The first being the group class which is small groups of three or four. The second is the private or one-to-one class. And finally just watching. The costs are as follows:
| Class | Duration | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group | 4 hours | £45.00 | |
| Private | 3 hours | £60.00 | |
| Watching | 4 hours | £20.00 | |
| Overrun | 1 hour | £5.00 |
To book on the next group session click on the Pay Now button where you can pay for the session with your PayPal account or with credit or debit card. Full payment is required to book your place. You will be refunded the full amount if the class does not run. You will be refunded only half of the amount if you cancel within 48 hours.
More details
I have found four to be just the right number for a small group class. Big enough to feel like a class and small enough to get individual attention. Obviously if you wanted my undivided attention then best to go for a private class. Some people have inquired about simply coming along and observing. As this is a practical skill you'd be missing out on the kinesthetic or tactile learning experience. Observing the class would certainly be interesting but you would retain far less than if you were involved with actually building your own wheel.
Four hours seems a long time but it flies by and suddenly you are rushing to get your wheel finished. I will help you and check your wheel but am also happy to allow the class to overrun by an hour or two. There is an additional charge of £5.00 for each hour.
At the end of the session you'll be going home with a pair of completed wheels. Bear this in mind if you're coming by bike and think about how you'll get them home.
Possible Future Classes
For those who already know how to lace a wheel but feel less confident about the truing and tensioning stages I'm considering a class that only covers the 2nd half of the above class. This skill can then also be applied to other spoke patterns as well as the regular 3-cross pattern.
A class exploring other spoking or lacing patterns such as radial, crow's foot and the snowflake. These sessions would obviously be a lot shorter.
