Wheel building lessons with Arup

Hi all,

I've just moved house and have a bit more space now so can now offer wheel building lessons at my place. Been wanting to do this for ages but wasn't really practical in one room. This would be using the latest method that I'm using as seen on my video tutorials. These would be one-to-one sessions or small groups of two or three people. With the nice weather at the moment we could do it in the garden. (Yes, my new flat has a garden). Not asking for any payment but perhaps folks could bring some beers and snacks.

Quite busy at the moment but will have time on a Saturday afternoon. It could be building your own wheel or it could be watching me building someone elses. If it's just to build one set then I don't know if it's really worth it but if you're wanting to build more then you'll be equipped to do so.

If you want to build your own then you'll need to bring all the parts and I can help with the spoke length calculations. I can go over that again when you're here and show you how to measure hubs and rims.

Bear in mind that I'm not a proper bike mechanic or anything but I have built hundreds of wheels which people ride every day with no problems. The methods I use are methods that I've collected here and there so it's not DT standard or anything like that. That's by way of a disclaimer I guess. And if you build the wheel (which I'll check) whether it holds together is your responsibility.

Let me know if there are any takers. I can't do it every week but a week Saturday is a possibility. First come first served.

Cheers,

Arup

I'm in Sydenham by the way, SE26 4AN. Haven't had a chance to update the website yet.

i dont have any wheels i need to build up or anything at all.
but i would love to pop down to watch some time.

This is pretty awesome, will save me some cash on my next few builds. Wheelbuilding is the only thing I'm too frightened to have a go at.

I am minus spokes at the moment, so maybe I'll be missing building in your first session. Not too clued up on spoke length calc, even with Sheldons advice I find it a bit difficult to get accurate measurements. So yeah I may be popping along to learn that!

Pending me sorting out diary stuff this sounds great and something i would be very interested in.

Well up for this. Got a set of rims, spokes, nipples sat at home ready for a build. Just need to buy another hub. Should be ready in about 3/4 weeks

Cool, glad there is some interest. If you just want to come along and be a spectator rather than participate that's fine. I said small groups as it would take 2-3 hours to build a set and probably longer with questions and explanations etc. And I have only one truing stand and spoke key. So think of it more as a learning opportunity rather than a chance to get your wheels built.

It doesn't have to be a week Saturday, that's just the first opportunity. The 24th is out but after that should be fine.

SPREAD IT ON... THICK!

I'd be up for this, glad you've moved back SE Arup!

Brilliant how much would you charge for your help and guidance.

I'd love to observe, unfortunately I don't have the bits nor the cash to build at the moment!

I'm not going to charge anything for the lessons but donations such as beer and snacks would be very welcome. To share during the session I mean not just for me. You'd only have to pay for the parts if they're your own wheels.

I need to get some built - think i have the bits, just need to get the spokes... count me in

Arup built my rear wheel - it's beastman strong! Doubt I can get involved in the workshop but just wanted to recommend his skillz

Hi Arup,

What a great and generous idea. I would love to come along and observe but maybe I can contribute too.

Whilst out of work I've made a small wheelbuilding database for casual/home use that I would like to make available for free.

http://www.wheelingwrinklies.co.uk/WB/WB.html

I've checked the spoke length results against all the obvious ones and the answers are near identical. The difference with this one is that you can record stuff about each of your builds and you don't need an internet connection once you've downloaded it. I've got a few more features in the pipeline but I'd like to see how this is received first.

I can bring along my laptop to demo it and perhaps show you some ideas I have for the future. I also have a digital calliper I can bring if anybody wants to measure components.

Can I also shamelessly plug Roger Musson's site and excellent PDF book @£9.

http://www.wheelpro.co.uk/wheelbuilding/book.php

I have absolutely no commercial ties with him but I found him personally very helpful and his book an absolute must read when you're new to this stuff.

Regards

Ian

2phat4rapha..... one of the best forums names i've seen. FACT

Thanks pistaboy. Sad but oh so true.

I'd really like to watch. Is that dirty? I have a friend who might like to watch too.
How big's you're garden?

Mega reps for your generosity sir.

I was about to have a first attempt at building my first wheel this weekend - using your videos and some advice from Zed. Need to dismantle my front wheel and replace the rim, have a few spare spokes in case some are bent.

Would love to come along on the 17th if there's a slot available to do it under guidance?

Hi Arup, interested in this but won't be around for 4 weeks or so. Can you post a link to your videos in the meantime ?

https://www.lfgss.com/thread41350.html

Perhaps we'll leave it for a few weeks say end of July but don't know if the weather is going to hold out though. The garden is quite small but could easily take a dozen or so people. The other reason I wanted to do it outdoors is that I have no furniture aside from two garden chairs and a small coffee table.

Sounds like it may be better to go for big group rather than a smaller one. If there are half a dozen just observing then we don't need to worry about tools etc. I have about five orders on the go at the moment which will probably be finished by the time the session happens but I'm sure I'll have more orders by then. So it could be either watching me working on one of my orders or I can instruct someone with theirs. Depends on who and how many are coming.

Ok, think we need to set a date and stick to it. If there is enough interest then let's go for the 17th of July otherwise the 31st. How does that sound?

I have been taking part 27" wheels and doing annoying measuring and calculations to work out what spokes I need to buy for this build. Hopefully I can get them in time for this. Quick question: What do you do about rims where al the holes aren't on a centre line? On mine the holes zigzag, one offset left, one offset right, and so on...

@2phat4rapha

Would be good to have you along. I've only been doing this wheelbuilding thing for the last five years or so and don't claim to be an expert. So always good to have other experienced people around.

I'll give the software a go. I'm on my LinuxMint machine at the moment but I'll get one of my macs out and give it a whirl. I stay away from Windoze as much as possible myself apart from browser testing and training clients.

It's obvious but only just occurred to me that you'll need the spokes before you come, so showing you how to measure hubs and rims during the session in order to calculate spoke lengths would be useful but won't help you with the rest of the build. I need to do some spoke length calculation videos itluding how to measure up. Anyone with a video camera and handy with Final Cut?