I'm freaking out about my first wheel build

[CRASH]

Two reasons I'm freaking out:
1) This is the first time I've ever laced wheels
2) This is for my son's Christmas bike, so I have to get it right.

This sight is confusing me: http://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html The colors are making my eyes cross, and it's for a 36h. I'm building 28h 20".

Has anyone got a better tutorial?

Does anyone have a homemade dish tool they can show me that I can try to put together?

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Check YouTube they have some great videos on this.

 

[largek9]

Yes, just take your time and you can even take a already laced wheel to use for a guide. Study the count on the hub and the rim. The biggest thing I found is just keep all the spokes evenly tightened. as you go around, they'll even out as you go. Good luck. Tom

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=58232

 

[X-RAY]

how i learned was to take a rear wheel apart, then redo it with the front wheel in front of me for referance. that helped me more than sheldons site. good luck.

 

[CRASH]

I checked Youtube and didn't find anything specifically for 28h. So, I'll just follow the "Look at another wheel" advice and go for it. :shock:

 

[socal_jack]

Laced my first one a rear wheel coaster 29er(3-cross) for RBBO7 following this video very straightforward;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYl4NO5m16Q

Just laced up my second 29er for my MTB, a sealed bearing hub with dish took it out Wednesday, treated it rough and still spot on. I bought the Park truing stand last year, makes quick work of the process keeping true and runout in check. I will say on both wheels when I started the flip side I picked one hole off looked parrallel to the valve hole(don't think I kept the hub torqued enough), but you realize quickly something is wrong by how far the ends of the spokes poke thru.

28H should be no different as there are only 2 sets of spokes on each side.

 

[Vipon]

Easy Peasy,, like the others said "take your time, look at another wheel for reference". When you get it right, its a great feeling of accomplishment.

My first one, I didn't have the spokes parallel at the valve. I ran it that way for 2 years. I've done a bunch the right way since then and finally re-laced it a couple of weeks ago.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Just wait, you'll be doing stuff like this in no time. Yes the spokes are twisted then laced.

 

[CRASH]

I got my first one laced. Not trued yet, as I haven't rebuilt the hub (I decided to lace first so the hub wasn't in the way)

Here's a link to my build thread with the laced wheel on it. viewtopic.php?f=21&t=66708

 

[Bigcam59]

There's not much that is more satisfying than turning a pile of spokes and parts into a working wheel. Kudos! 8)

 

[CRASH]

I can say I was all smiles when I finished. Here's my second attempt all complete and trued with the tire mounted. I think I got away without a dish tool, but I'm going to get one eventually.

 

[largek9]

Nice work, I knew you could do it!