I also have the Brandt book and a print out of Sheldon's instructions. They are useful, but when I have to lace up a wheel I pull out a Feb 86 article from Bicycling magazine. This was the second in a series of four articles on wheel building and it has clear and simple directions for lacing a wheel. The other articles in the series are OK but not essential. I also agree about equipment. The Park stand and a dishing gauge really help speed up the process of building quality wheels. I originally went the cheapo route because I had no appreciation for how many wheels I would end up building. When I realised that late 70's early 80's sew up wheels were a wear out item I moved up to better tools and never regretted it.
Thanks to my new found lust for vintage bikes I've built up about 5 wheelsets in the past year...it never stops.
Norm Lafleur
Ashfield, Ma
> The 3 sources I use are: Jobst Brandt, Gerd Schranner, and Sheldon Brown.
> They all differ somewhat in philosophy but, I glean what I need and build
> to my own formula. They will differ somewhat on lacing philosophy,
> tension, and pulling spoke config, but what they all have is how to build
> a sound wheel and share the same basic methodology. When It comes right
> down to it just buy a hub some spokes and rims and go for it. If you can
> find an old used wheel set at the local LBS on on ebay you can practice
> disassembling and re-assembling the wheel set for practice before you
> start on the precious vintage wheels you are dreaming about.
> My ownly advice to you is get the right tools and don't waste your time on
> a cheap set of building tools. I resisted buying the latest because my
> homemade "fork," stainless ruler, and calipers were good enough for 30
> years of prior building however, my wife bought me a Park top of the line
> wheel building stand for xmass a few years ago and the job is easier and
> more pleasureable than ever. Good luck
> --
> Don Keenan
> Boulder, CO
> 303-530-4033
>
> -------------- Original message ----------------------
> From: "C. Andrews" <chasds@mindspring.com>
>> what's the consensus recommendation on the best book on
>> traditional wheelbuilding?
>>
>> In-print or out ok, but in-print would be better.
>>
>> I've built wheels before, but I could use a refresher
>> course. I was going to buy Brandt's book..but are there
>> others that people here like?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Charles Andrews
>> SoCal
>>
>>
>> "The deeper I go in considering the
>> vanities of popular reasoning, the
>> lighter and more foolish I find them."
>>
>> --Galileo Galilei