Wheel building lessons with Arup

Damn, I'm gonna have to bail as I've had a fortieth birthday party sprung on me. Sorry Arup. I'm tracking down some rims at the moment though, which when I get hold of, it would be good if I could pay you to show me through building them up. Have a good one, hope it doesn't rain for you.

1. Arup
   
2. L&W - pencilled in - will see how I get on with my front wheel this weekend
   
3. fugit
   
4. Andyfallsoff
   
5. 2Phat4Rapha
   

No worries mr lunch. Looks like I'll be doing another one in 3-4 weeks or so as other people are interested but don't have the parts or can't make it on this occassion.

I also wanted to say that if anyone wants to hang around after 1.30 ish they're very welcome but I will need to get on with my wheel orders. So you can still continue to work on your own wheels and I'll probably continue to build the rest of the day.

Okay, sounds good to me.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yt/4799633204/ now all I need is to learn to true/tension them XD.

Disappointed I missed this - maybe next time?

A good day was had by all I think. We didn't finish till about 5.00pm so I'll need to factor that in for the next one but I'm so glad the weather held out. In the end there were 5 participants which was a good number especially as there was only one truing stand and we needed to take turns. I took one or two photos which I'll post up later on.

Arup built my website - it's beastman strong! ... just wanted to recommend his skillz

So how did it go, guys and gals? Last time I read a thread about wheel building classes it was described as "like herding cats." Update pls.

Arup, I hope the move means good things are happening. Will be looking out for you.

(Ah ha, page number reading fail.)

A good day indeed!
I attended and was great. Laced and my back wheel with arup there and then. I have now finished it and tried it and it feels great!

arup mate, thanks a million

Slightly late to reply but yeah, it was a really good day - many thanks arup! For those who couldn't make it, I would thoroughly recommend it

Thanks for the feedback guys. Some critical feedback would also be very welcome to help me improve the learning experience. I've had a few queries about doing another one and so am thinking about a date. Another Saturday I think in mid August. Possibly the 21st. I think the 7th is bit early as some people are still waiting for their bits to arrive and I can't do the 14th as I have my daughter.

Some ideas for the next workshop.

// running from 11.00 - 16.00
// proper lunch break for half an hour
// I will provide a buffet lunch
// maximum number of students at six
// more tuition on spoke length calculations
// advice on parts and stores
// help with completing your wheels
// charge of £40 for the day

Let me know what you think about this as these are just ideas so far based on the first trial run. The main bottleneck was the single truing stand so I'm going to get another one for the next session.

It was great doing it all outdoors in the garden but that is weather dependent but hopefully August should be ok. I do have space indoors though as well.

A most enjoyable way to spend the afternoon - learning a fine skill, putting it into practise and actually riding off on the finished result. I rebuilt my front wheel, replacing the rim, tensioned, trued, etc, all the time chatting and chilling. Only limiting factor was the one trueing stand. I'm not intending to go and build loads of wheels, but it is brilliant to have an insight into how it all goes together, and how to have confidence to know my own wheels are good to go. Replacing spokes / rims I'm confident to do now, building from scratch - certainly the basic pattern, but I'd have a go at more ambitious ones too - given the right tools (trueing stand, tension gauge and dishing thing).

Arup has the patience of a saint ... with the planned session overrunning by about 4 hours and a stack of wheels he had to get on and build, there was no rushing to get us finished.

Many many thanks! I've ridden around 80 miles already on my new wheel :-)

Highly recommended!

@Arup - any progression on these workshops or have they died a death?

Loving the generosity, i have a lot to learn and very little to pay for the pleasure! will PM you in case you dont see this reply

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to bump this thread instead of starting a new one. I've finally got round to putting the videos onto my site and tidying them up a bit on YouTube. Spring has sprung so I'm just seeing how much interest there would be in running some sessions this year. I'll give plenty of notice so you have time to get all your bit together and get hold of your spokes too. I'll be running them on Sunday afternoons now instead of Saturday. I'll post up some possible dates once I've got hold of some more truing stands. I imagine that I'll hold the first one just after Easter. If the weather is good then we can work in the garden. I'm thinking 2.00 - 6.00pm on a Sunday.

You need to have wheels to build as just coming along and watching gets a bit boring after a while as everyone else gets stuck into their wheels. Perhaps you can watch and take care of the barbie?

Details as in the post above. Let me know if you're interested.

I'd be keen for this if it's just after Easter

I would be keen too.

this may persuade me into buying parts just to learn how, but definitely interested

in!

I'll put up some dates very soon. Plenty of time to get all your bits together. Earliest date would be 1st of May but imagine that as the May bank holiday is the 2nd some of you May be away. Hopefully the weather will be nicer. I also need to get hold of a couple more truing stands.

Hi there,

I am also interested in this fab opportunity.

Is it likely to be at the start of May?

Hi,
I would also be interested in this - would like to build some 17" wheels for a touring Moulton. Will keep an eye out for the date.
Cheers,
James.

Ok, let's go for Sunday 8th May. Time 3.00 - 7.00pm. Would like to have at least 3 confirmed bookings and a maximum of 5 so I can give you all individual attention and check your wheels. Hopefully that will give you enough time to get all your parts together. Fingers crossed for good weather.

Im in! 100% confirmed

I'm in as long as my mate gets round to buying a frame, i should be able to get parts together in a month.

What wheel truing stand do you use? Cos i'm looking to get one myself, was wondering how much i need to pay for a decent one.

I'm absolutely up for this. After my recent attempts (and a wanker kicking in my back wheel) I know I need some guidance. Got all parts I need so I could confirm now.

Thanks Arup!

I'm jinxed, just managed to snap a spoke while truing a wheel :(