Spokes and stuff... how hard is this? Hard!

Step by step guide:

1. Buy hub
   
2. Buy rim
   
3. Buy 2 spokes + 2 nipples (old ones will suffice)
   
4. Cut spokes to an exact length (e.g.200mm)
   
5. Screw nipples on to spokes until they are flush with bottom of screwdriver slot.
   
6. Add a blob of glue to each so they dont unscrew
   
7. When glue is dry, put spokes in opposite holes on the rim.
   
8. Measure between the nearest ends of the spokes (inside rim).
   
9. Add the measurement to 400mm (2 x 200mm, right?)
   
10. This gives you the ERD (effective rim diameter).
    
11. Measure hub dimensions (accurate to about 0.5 mm is good enough. Use a cheap vernier or steel rule).
    
12. Decide on 3 cross, or whatever.
    
13. Plug all the values into spocalc.
    
14. Buy spokes of correct length.
    
15. Build wheel.
    
16. Ride and enjoy.