The Bicycle Workshop

Truing a wheel is more than a skill. It is an art.  We’ve done it long enough to know how to do it and how to teach it. And one thing we have learned is that it’s simplicity is decieving. While it’s true that it’s usually just a matter of tightening and loosening spokes, it’s something altogether different to get that effort to yeild a predicatable and consistant outcome.  It’s more like functional sculpture. This class will introduce you to the art of wheel work.

Of course we take a scientific approach also, to get you familiar with the physics that take place in a wheel. And we give you lots of opportunities to practice and experiment in this class.   You will practice with several different wheels that don’t have to work out, before you take on your own, if you choose to.

In this class we will practice with conventional 28 – 36 spoke front and rear wheels. We will look at and discuss modern spoke patterns and wheels with much fewer spokes.

We’ll cover these elements for sure:

• Spoke patterns
• Spoke guages and shapes
• Nipple types and materials
• Spoke Prep vs Oil vs Dry vs Interference fit
• When to lubricate a spoke
• Side to side Truing
• Out of Round or Radial Truing
• Rim design and materials
• Hub adjustment
• Lots of hands on practice.
• How good is good enough
• Wheel truing without a truing stand

And if we have the time we’ll also cover:

• Truing with a hammer!
• Truing while out in the woods
• Rim failure

So if you are interested in both demystifying the process of building a wheel and feeling the artistry involved in good wheel work, please join us for this special class.

Bring an open mind because this is a right and left brained activity rolled into one. You’ll use your eyes, ears and feel to get it right. And you will have lots and lots of hands on practice time.

Please note, we will also show you how to use your bike as your truing stand. While a stand is a great thing to have, unless you invest in a really nice one for several hundred dollars, they can be pretty frustrating, especially for the novice. Your bike on the other hand will do a fantastic job and we’ll show you how.

So bring your bike and plan on having fun. This class can accomodate 5 students so book early.

Resources:

If you want to look at the process of wheel building, which includes wheel truing, you might like this series on the topic.  While it might be tough to get the whole process by watching a short video series, it will give you a sense of what the process includes. Not to worry, once you get some hands on experience, it will make more sense.

Also, if you do want to build a wheel yourself,  you will need a spoke length calculator. We like the one found at the United Bicycle Institute’s website.

This is the book I learned with, nearly 20 years ago. The Bicycle Wheel.

The class is $60 and is 2.5 hours long. Time flies and you will learn a ton, as always.

Hope to see you there.

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