wheel building advice

[faultymonk]

Since I've never built a wheel before, I thought I'd seek some sage advice before I do something silly.  Any comments or advice would be appreciated.

I've already purchased the Nuvinci rear hub (36h).  And I'm thinking of purchasing the Alex Rims TD-17 700c 36h with a Shimano rear roller brake (either the BR-IM41-R or BR-IM70-R, can't decide).

Hub:
Nuvinci N171B 36h
flange diameter: 148mm (same for L & R)
Left center to flange: 23mm
Right center to flange: 23.8mm
Recommended lacing: 1 or 2 cross

Rim:
Alex Rims TD-17 700c 36h
ERD: 605mm
Center offset: 0mm

I decided on a symmetric 2-cross lacing for it, and using the various spoke length calculators online, it looks like the proper spoke length is around 250-252mm (will probably purchase the latter) with brass nipples.  Will probably use double butted 14/15/14.

For the front hub, I was thinking of keeping things the same and going with a 36h front disc hub, but apparently 32h is much more common these days.  Currently I'm looking at the Shimano XT HB-M756 (trying to keep it below $50) and the matching Alex Rims TD-17.  I'm having a bit more trouble confirming the specification on the front hub.

Hub (unsure):
Shimano HB-M756 (36h or 32h)
Flange diameter is 61mm (same for L & R?)
Left center to flange: 21.1mm
Right center to flange: 31.7mm

If those specifications are correct, then the proper length for the 2-cross symmetric 32h lacing appears to be around 282mm (280mm for 36h).

I can't really decide between 36h and 32h (other than that it seems easier to find 32h hubs).  The reason for a front disc is a little silly actually, but since the way I stand my bike at the beach is to bury the bottom of the front wheel in the sand, I figured it'd save me to trouble of brushing sand off my front rim all the time.  I'm thinking the 32h perhaps, and maybe use the same 14/15/14 spokes (because Nashbar is having a sale, and they have the right lengths).

Oh, and I still need a rear freewheel.  Still trying to decide between an ACS Claw 20t or a White Industries ENO 20t (man, what a price difference).

Once I've made the rest of my purchases, I'll probably be stopping by the Bikerowave for some help.  In the meantime, if you have any recommendations or advice, please pass it along.

Thanks,
Shane
p.s. the spoke length calculator at http://www.appliedthought.com/danny/Spoke/SpokeCalculator.html seems to consistently differ from the other spoke length calculators.  Should I go with the other calculators which all seem to agree with each other and ignore this one?

[buttrumpus]

well, the spoke length thing is pretty important, to me, 250-252 sounds real small for a 700c wheel, they are usually in the high 280's to 290's, though I don't know what kind of hub you're talking about, it could be huge. For reference, my Campy high flange hubs to a 27'' rim, which is maybe a 4mm difference from 700c, are 294 & 295. I usually use Sheldon Brown's website for my wheel building info, he has a good spoke length calculator on their that you download in the form of an excel spreadsheet, works like a charm.

as far as spoke count, just use 32 unless you're trying to make some era correct vintage build, or are really fat. 32 will work just fine, and are much easier to find. If you use 14/15/14 spokes, it will be plenty strong. As for freewheels, it's really about how much you want to pay. If you are going to be getting pretty intense and riding like a maniac all over town, I'd get a nice one, because I know at least the cheap shimano freewheels are pretty poorly designed. If you're really looking for performance, a nicer one will make a difference.

above all else, look at saint sheldon's site, and use his spoke calculator, it works miracles.

[faultymonk]

well, the spoke length thing is pretty important, to me, 250-252 sounds real small for a 700c wheel, they are usually in the high 280's to 290's, though I don't know what kind of hub you're talking about, it could be huge.

It's a monster.  The hole to hole diameter of the hub is 148mm (159mm from edge to edge).

From further reading, I think I might go with a 3-cross front, 2-cross back.

[Franz]

It's a pretty large looking hub

[buttrumpus]

well goddamn

[Franz]

Also I can't wait to see it.

[faultymonk]

above all else, look at saint sheldon's site, and use his spoke calculator, it works miracles.

Sheldon didn't actually have a spoke length calculator, but points to several.  One of which is Damon Rinard's Excell Spreadsheet including a database of rims and hubs - http://www.sheldonbrown.com/rinard/spocalc.htm.  It's definitely handy, and contains lots of data about rims and hubs.  It doesn't have everything however, and it does require you to have Excel.

After playing with many online spoke length calculators, I found http://www.wheelpro.co.uk/spokecalc/ to be my favorite and easiest to use.  However, it does require numerical specifications (none of the components I was interested in was listed in the Excel based calculator anyhow).

[EricW]

I'm also building a wheel.

I when over to Bicycle Workshop.  It's in Santa Monica on Ocean Park at 17th, or so, and had Victor measure the rim and hub to calculate the spoke length.  Cost $6, which I thought was a bargain after looking at measuring and calculating myself.

A high hub with 27 inch rims was 298mm for my setup.  Mike, who covers Thursday nights at Bikerowave, is a master at building wheels - you might get his advice.

Good luck

Eric

[faultymonk]

I'm also building a wheel.
I when over to Bicycle Workshop.  It's in Santa Monica on Ocean Park at 17th, or so, and had Victor measure the rim and hub to calculate the spoke length.  Cost $6, which I thought was a bargain after looking at measuring and calculating myself.
A high hub with 27 inch rims was 298mm for my setup.  Mike, who covers Thursday nights at Bikerowave, is a master at building wheels - you might get his advice.

Cool.  Thanks Eric.  I actually ended up ordering the various bits a couple of weeks ago (not before changing my mind about the lacing pattern).  So I decided instead on a crow's foot pattern for the back, and a hybrid crow's foot pattern for the front.  I'm still waiting on the front hub, but had laced up the rear and went to the Bikerowave just this past Wed. and used the truing stand.  Turns out the calculator I used was spot on, and I can't wait to build the front rim.

I'll post a picture once I get a chance.  Massive, massive hub.

[faultymonk]

Picture of the rims.  Rear is crow's foot, front is hybrid crow's foot.

[Gern]

WOW great looking lace