Re: [CR]Conversations on wheel building...are there great wheelbuildersand why are they better than others?

(Example: Racing:Jean Robic)

From: "henox" <henox@icycle.net>
To: "Tom Sanders" <tsan7759142@comcast.net>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <020501c34013$ac8ddb40$ead2f50c@C1921978A>
Subject: Re: [CR]Conversations on wheel building...are there great wheelbuildersand why are they better than others?
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2003 03:25:40 -0700
cc: Henox <henox@icycle.net>

Subject: [CR]Conversations on wheel building...are there great wheelbuildersand why are they better than others?

Tom asked:

"What I'd like to know is just what is it that gives famous wheel builders such as Joe Young or Spence Wolf such a cache among the classic biking community. Are their wheels actually better than other good wheel builders and , if so, how?"

I don't know Joe Young at all but I had many wheels built by Spence Wolf before I was ever hired at a bike shop and learned to build them myself.

Spence Wolf distinguished himself by his commitment to craftsmanship and to building each wheel "exactly right" (proper prep at the hub, nipple lubrication, ferrule prep, and optimum spoke tensioning). His skill and commitment is what inspired a whole generation of wheel builders including the Hjertbergs at Wheelsmith.

Personally, I've always felt that any wheel could be built "exactly right" (at least up to the limitations imposed by the materials used) by many different builders using different techniques. The problem is that very few builders work to develop their skill level to be able to build "exactly right" wheels. Those that do tend to stand out from the rest.

Hugh Enox