Figuring out spoke length

Posted on
  • I am in the process of getting all the parts to build new wheels (first time building) and have come across bit of a pickle. The build will be as follows:

    32h H+Plus Son Archetype
    Low flange Phil Wood's
    Sapim Race spokes
    DT Swiss Pro Lock nipples
    3x cross on both wheels

    Now, since I've never done this before and I am yet to acquire any components, I can't exactly do all the measurements myself. I'm using this calculator (https://leonard.io/edd/) and when I input all the details, it gives me 2 different results for spoke lengths. Spoke lenght left being 290.4mm and the right being 289.6mm. I can only assume that it's because on the rims, the spoke holes appear to be slightly offset from the centre. So which result is it then?

  • 290 will be fine.
    have fun!

  • Thanks for the answer. Will go for 290 in that case.

  • @adrevporn is right, 290 should be all right. I'm a little surprised that you have 2 different lengths (although the difference is minuscule). Is the hub track on one side only? I recommend that you read the guide by the ever so great Sheldon Brown:

    http://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

  • ^ This is right. If this hub is assymetric (single-sided, not reversible) then there may well be a slight dishing required - so the spoke lengths are shorter on the drive side (what lenni confusingly calls 'right'). You haven't said if it's double-sided or not. If the hub is symmetrical, i.e. the flanges are equidistant from the over lock nuts, then you've made a mistake in your measurements.

    By the way, there's a thread called wheelbuilding / wheel building help, the perfect place for your question.

    If these turn out to be correct measurements, I would buy spokes of 288 for the DS and 290 for NDS. But that's just me.

  • Post a reply
    • Bold
    • Italics
    • Link
    • Image
    • List
    • Quote
    • code
    • Preview
About

Figuring out spoke length

Posted by Avatar for wrecked @wrecked

Actions