The crazy weather we've been having recently has been keeping anyone sane inside, but that does mean that there's been more time to spend on bike maintenance. I did something I've always been scared of over the weekend - built my first wheel. I started off with this
and after some time and surprisingly little swearing I ended up with this
At this point it was only half done as the spokes were loose. I gradually tightened everything up over the weekend - a turn on each spoke and then a straighten, another turn, another straighten. With plenty of walking away when I felt myself getting frustrated.
Now it seems to be reasonably consistently taught and it's as straight as a die. Although the real test is in the riding - is it built well enough to stay straight as the wheel comes under tension & compression? And if not, will I even ride enough to find out?
Of course the other question is what's it for. Isn't it Gordy :)
and after some time and surprisingly little swearing I ended up with this
At this point it was only half done as the spokes were loose. I gradually tightened everything up over the weekend - a turn on each spoke and then a straighten, another turn, another straighten. With plenty of walking away when I felt myself getting frustrated.
Now it seems to be reasonably consistently taught and it's as straight as a die. Although the real test is in the riding - is it built well enough to stay straight as the wheel comes under tension & compression? And if not, will I even ride enough to find out?
Of course the other question is what's it for. Isn't it Gordy :)
Hmmm, fixed hub?
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Gordy
Fixed hub and only one wheel....must be a unicycle.
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