Submitted by
Mick
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: November 16, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Wheelpro website
Strengths:
Everything - Ease of use as it's an e-book so no pages to get dirty when building a wheel. clear instruction. Occasional free updates
Weaknesses:
None that I've found
Bottom Line:
I had absolutely no experience of wheelbuilding but like the satisfaction of doing things myself. I built the jig described in the book and this allowed me to build my first wheel (a mavic open pro on Campagnolo rim (rear)). No problems. I have just built up a cheap rear MTB wheel, again with no problems.
If you fancy building a wheel then this is the book to get you there from start to finish.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
reueladhikari
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Australia Date Reviewed: November 9, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
http://www.wheelpro.
Strengths:
This book is really useful. I have built up regular 3X lacing pattern wheels following the instructions in this book as well as one with 2X pattern with a Rohloff hub. Highly recommended.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Lennard Zinn's book on bike maintenance with a chapter on wheelbuilding
Bike Setup:
Surly Cross Check with Rohloff hub
Bottom Line:
If you want to learn wheelbuilding overnight and you already have a truing stand & a tensiometer, this book will provide all the info.
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Submitted by
OldSandown
a Cross Country Rider
from Derry, NH USA Date Reviewed: November 5, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Carter Moriah Range (hiking)
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
On line
Strengths:
Straight to the point
Weaknesses:
Not aware of any
Bike Setup:
Mountain bike, touring road bike, hybrid and unicycle -- oh yeah, and a 1985 Kawasaki 454 LTD.
Bottom Line:
Although the book's focus is on bicycle wheels it contains everything you need to build and maintain professional quality wheels for everything from unicycles to motorcycles. You really don't need anything else.
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Submitted by
Chris
a Racer
from Tucson, Arizona, USA Date Reviewed: October 29, 2008
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Well defined and presented material that made the concept of building bicycle wheels easy to understand.
Bottom Line:
This is a great book that helped me understand the concept of wheel building. I now have bicycles wheels that have thousands of miles, on rough south west roads, that are as true as the day I put these on my bicycles. Thanks Roger!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gmreymers
a Weekend Warrior
from Spokane, WA, USA Date Reviewed: October 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Centennial Trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$18.00
Purchased At:
Wheelpro Web Site
Strengths:
Very clear wheel lacing instructions. Excellent discussion on the importance of spoke tension. Very clear on how to build and keep the lateral, radial, and dish true while building. How to build the tools, esp. the nipple driver. Instructions on how to measure the effective wheel diameter and hubs, along with the charts to record measurements, are excellent. Instructions on how to calculate spoke length was a nice touch. Either calculate yourself, or go to his web site.
Weaknesses:
None as far as I am concerned.
Similar Products Used:
sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild. The Art of Wheelbuilding, by Gerd Schraner. the Bicycle Wheel, 3rd ed. by Jobst Brandt.
Bike Setup:
Comfort, City or Urban. Sit upright. Mavic 622-19 wheels with 700X38C tires.
Bottom Line:
The absolute best book I have used to build a wheel. Built my third wheel (rear) using this book. Had no problem trying to decipher the instructions and diagrams. The wheel came out within the wheel tolerances given on page 63. The build took a while, but not an excessive amount of time. If you want to build your own wheels, this is the book to buy. You won't need any other.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JDay
a Cross Country Rider
from Henderson, NV Date Reviewed: October 20, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
Theory behind wheel building as well as tool development and step by step directions.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bottom Line:
For an engineer, geek-type personality or just anyone who enjoys mechanical theories this is a must have guide to building wheels. The text is thorough and easy to follow for a beginner, however, it contains great details for even seasoned wheel builders. This is definitely worth the money and easy to obtain through the author's website.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dodge
a Racer
from Kingston upon Hull Date Reviewed: October 19, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Very clear logical presentation. Good photos and diagrams
Bottom Line:
After purchasing the book a while ago I have had great fun and success building bike whhels. To receive a free update after two years was a total suprise. A really excellent product for beginners and experts alike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
imrandall
a Racer
from Toronto, ON, Canada Date Reviewed: October 17, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Albion
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
www.wheelbuilding.co
Strengths:
Clearly written, well organized, lots detail if you want it, easy enough to use if you don't
Similar Products Used:
sheldon brown's site, Jobst Brandt
Bike Setup:
which one?
Bottom Line:
Get it if you need a comprehensive text to help you get into wheelbuilding
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
posthocfallacy
a Weekend Warrior
from USA Date Reviewed: October 15, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Colorado Trail
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Verbage. I have read several wheel building books and find them completely incomprehensible. They use words like "up" and "down", "left" and "right". That wouldn't be so bad if the wheel stayed in the same orientation as you built it, but it doesn't, it moves around. It only took a couple pages for me to figure out that it would do no good to continue reading because I didn't know where he was talking about. Musson's book finally put things in terms that I could understand and I built some wheels for my touring bike with 36 spokes and XT hubs that I have not had to adjust in the two years since I built them. I put them on the alignment stand to check them every three months for a year and decided that was a waste of time. I figured I'd watch them and adjust them when they need it. They have not needed it. I'll recommend this book to anyone.
Similar Products Used:
Brant's wheel building, Harris Cyclery wheel building
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher HooKoo-e-Koo that I bought at a pawn shop 8 years ago and have replaced everything on it except the brake levers and the frame. I currently have XT front and rear with XTR shifters, XT hubs on wheels with Mavic XC317 36 spoke 3X lacing. FSA crank and XT bottom bracket. Avid shorty 6 brakes.
Bottom Line:
I recommend this book.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
T Barrett
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia Date Reviewed: October 15, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Clear diagrams and photos. Very thorough yet clear explanations. Low cost. Free update service. Suitable for novice through to pro.
Weaknesses:
None
Bottom Line:
A thoroughly recommended text suitable for all categories of wheel builders and anyone interested in wheel maintenence.
I bought this book because I teach students about building electric recumbent trikes. I needed to very quickly get up to speed on wheel building. I had never built a wheel before. I sat down and devoured the book ( it is very well written). I then confidently went out to the workshop and built my first wheel without any real hitches.
I love details and this book answered all of my questions.
Well done Roger.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
IanB
a Cross Country Rider
from Glasgow Date Reviewed: October 14, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Ae
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
Indepth knowledge of wheel building covering all aspects from choice of rim to fashioning your own tools. New Cad drawings of the wheel rig a definate bonus.
Weaknesses:
None
Bike Setup:
Azonic Evolution
Bottom Line:
I bought the orignal wheel pro book before building my second hand built wheel, figuring that I could greatly improve on my first atempt. I've been riding the wheel I built for about 6000 miles now and have not had a single problem with the rim. Quite simply a comprehensive straight forward guide to building your own wheels. A must buy for any cyclist even if you just want to know how to true a wheel.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chris88
a Downhiller
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: October 14, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$9.00
Purchased At:
Website
Strengths:
Great step by step detailed instructions. Great photos / CAD pictures to follow, anyone can build a wheel with this guide.
Weaknesses:
None that I can see
Bottom Line:
Fantastic guide to building wheels. I have personally built wheels by following this book that are far better built than those bought OE/OEM. Make sure you print it at a local print shop(cheap), so you can take it with you to races or wherever and you're good to go !
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BVJ
a Cross Country Rider
from copenhagen, Denmark Date Reviewed: October 13, 2008
Favorite Trail:
le melezin near briancon or tour de furfande in Queras
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
web
Strengths:
very nice reading and very straight forward in his approach.... likes sentences like "the rim was straight at the beginning of the building process and should remain straight :-)
I also like all the home made tools.
I have build one rear wheel following the instructions and have been riding it for nearly a year without any straightening or other maintenance
Weaknesses:
none sofar
Would like to see some comments on tubeless wheels and how to build tubeless wheels my self
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Rivette H6 with reba and SRAM + SC blur with another RS fork
Bottom Line:
Very good book and you feel very proud when you have build your own wheel.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
fasterthanferraci!
a Cross Country Rider
from Sandhurst, Kent. UK Date Reviewed: October 13, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Everywhere
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$18.00
Purchased At:
Online through Roger
Strengths:
Very easy to follow and assumes no previous experience. Good simple clear instructions with relevant diagrams. Must be good because I managed to build 'em first time out!
Weaknesses:
none as far as I was concerned. All good!
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Trek Top Fuel, Xtr groupset, Bonty xxxlite finishing kit and Hope mono mini pros. Dt Swiss hubs,Bonty rims. Spangly new wheels built by me!
Bottom Line:
My first experience of wheel building was as a junior sprinter and after a complete failure, due to lack of knowledge, I decided to have another go and armed with Rogers Ebook I finally achieved the perfect build of my first pair of wheels! Hooray!!
Thanks Roger worth every penny and then some.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joel
a Racer
from chicago, il Date Reviewed: October 13, 2008
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Very well written book on wheel building. Worth the price.
Bottom Line:
If you want to build a wheel, this e-book will provide you with all the info you need.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jayray16
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL, USA Date Reviewed: October 13, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Old Mine Trails, Trumbull CT
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
After purchasing new Hope Pro II hubs, I decided to try my hand at building my own wheelset. This book made it possible, easy, and fun. It was easy to follow and very informative about all the dynamics of a wheel as well as how to build one. Free upgrades to the book are a bonus, though I had no problems with the origninal version I purchased (4th Edition). There are instructions and templates provided to makeyour own tools inexpensively, and worth about 10x the cost of the guide. I highly recommend this guide as a resource for any rider.
Weaknesses:
None found.
Similar Products Used:
None, and given my success with this one, I don't see a need to try.
Bike Setup:
'07 Marin Mt. Vision, mostly stock, updgaded to Easton Monkeylite XC Carbon Riser, Thomson Elite X4 Stem, Mavic XM 317- now with Hope Pro II hubs.
Bottom Line:
If you want to build your own wheelset- buy it. If you want to fix a wheel- buy it. If you want to understand what your life is riding on- buy it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
masonmax
a Weekend Warrior
from Roanoke, VA USA Date Reviewed: October 13, 2008
Favorite Trail:
The trail most recently ridden
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
The book is very detailed and includes an abundance of information on rims, hubs, spokes, and more.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
None.
Bike Setup:
'04 Heckler, Pro II Hubs, DT 540 Rims, DT straight-guage spokes, 36 Talus R, DHX 5 Coil, X9 drivetrain, bla bla bla
Bottom Line:
I wanted to learn the art of wheelbuilding so I did a bunch of research which lead me to Rogers' book. I purchased it and had my first wheel built the following weekend. The text and illustrations are clear and easy to understand. If you want to build wheels this is the only manual you need. BUY THIS AND GO BUILD YOURSELF SOME WHEELS!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Josep
a Weekend Warrior
from Barcelona Date Reviewed: October 13, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$12.00
Purchased At:
web
Strengths:
Good, cheap, short but enough, easy to understand.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Large&professional books
Bike Setup:
Touring bike
Bottom Line:
If you have problems with your wheels, this book is helpful to undestand what's going wrong. Unvaluable help if you plan to make your own (good) wheels. I strongly ecomend it over other kinds of web help, and over big and thick books about the question
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
lescart
a Downhiller
from england Date Reviewed: October 13, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
web
Strengths:
absolutley fantastic, everything needed to know about wheelbuilding.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
The wheel, by sheldon brown (i think)
Bike Setup:
none now.
Bottom Line:
cheap, essential reading if wheelbuilding, if it aint here it aint worth knowing! and very cheap when bought electronically. A big bonus as its on my computer cos i can easily go to my fave sections quicker than an actual book.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
locksalordy
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia Date Reviewed: October 13, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Main Yarra Trail (Melbourne)
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
V4 of Roger Musson's Guide to Wheel Building is one of the best books available on building bicycle wheels. It is at least as good as Jobst Brandt's classic "The Bicycle Wheel" and better in some respects (less technical, more practical). The "Professional Guide to Wheel Building" just got a whole lot better with the latest edition. Some of the less relevent material is gone, the text is now clearer where it needed to be and the illustrations and photos are improved.
Weaknesses:
None to speak of.
Similar Products Used:
"The Bicycle Wheel" by Jobst Brandt
Bike Setup:
Surly LHT for touring.
Salsa La Raza for the road
Bottom Line:
If you are serious about wheel building, this book is a must have.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave Brunner
a Weekend Warrior
from Nomansland UK (yes, really!) Date Reviewed: October 13, 2008
Favorite Trail:
New Forest
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
On lIne
Strengths:
This is a great book that has helped me understand the mechanics of a wheel and how to build and repair a range of different wheels. The instructions are clear and concise with well produced diagrams to illustrate the points being made.
The book is full of practical tips for building your own tools without spending a fortune and the ways in which to get the best out of them.
Love the fact we get free updates too, and that we can re-print when pages get dog-eared.
Weaknesses:
None worth mentioning
Similar Products Used:
Various on-line help files and bike repair manuals.
Bike Setup:
Full Tourer: Dawes Galaxy 700c wheels
OCR Road Bike: 700c
MTB 26"
Recumbent 26" and 20" wheels.
Bottom Line:
If you have ever wanted to straighten a wheel... this book will set you straight! If you want to try your hand at building, it will hold your hand the first time through!
On the road the knowledge can turn you into a life-saver. Guy turned his mtb wheel into a Pringle in the middle of the woods.. 20 mins later I had him back on the road. One thought, maybe the book should include a First Aid section as I couldn't patch up his elbow/knee :-)
Its the Dogz!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
macnali
a Racer
from Cambridge Date Reviewed: October 13, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$5.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Well laid out, simple instructions, easy to follow
Weaknesses:
Nil
Bottom Line:
I recommend this to anyone thinking of repairing/building their own race wheels
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
zimwe
a Downhiller
from dublin, ireland Date Reviewed: October 13, 2008
Favorite Trail:
carrick, wicklow
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
top quality book, excellent layout. Well explained, good references.
Similar Products Used:
other wheel bulding books
Bottom Line:
well worth investing the money in, overall a top quality product that I have no hesitation reccommending to fellow cyclists!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
slenten
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis, MN, USA Date Reviewed: October 12, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Street is neat.
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
download
Bottom Line:
Since 1981, I've referred to Jobst Brandt's book when I built wheels for my own use. Jobst's treatment of the subject was long on engineering (which is good) and good enough on practical assembly of wheel components. Roger's book, however, really brings balance to the subject with clarity and style. There is no better book on wheel building, period.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BigGeorge
a Weekend Warrior
from England Date Reviewed: October 12, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
on line
Bottom Line:
Building wheels is a way to relax and get absorbed into the experience. This book/ download carefully pulls together the author's experinces in an honest way. Its business like in its guidance, but doesn't feel like its written from a laboratory testbench. I enjoy dipping into it and also using it as an aide memoire when I've been away from wheelbuidling for a while and am feeling rusty. The bottom line - it works
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Peter T
a Racer
from Cumbria Date Reviewed: October 12, 2008
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Very clear and comprehensive. There is a wealth of advice here, which will keep you out of trouble both in building and riding.
Bike Setup:
Mainly building wheels for electric cars on 16" Brompton sized rims.
Bottom Line:
It was very good, it's better now.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stephen
a Racer
from Denmark Date Reviewed: October 12, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Very comprehensive and descriptive. Lots of illustrations. Every little detail is told.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Ultegra style racer
Bottom Line:
I don't think I will ever have the chance to build a wheel.
I ride My bike for work. And after a year (10000 km) the front hub couldn't take it anymore. I have realized, the importance of using the right wheel setup. I am not a wheel expert, but this book helps me selecting the best wheels, that will do the job.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CyclopsChris
a Racer
from North Yorkshire, England Date Reviewed: October 12, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
I built my first wheel following the previous version of this book and it still runs true and strong. The book was easy to follow, uses clear language and gives no end of useful pertinent advice. Now the latest edition is even better including a great deal of information on building UST wheels. An excellent book well worth the money.
Weaknesses:
None
Bottom Line:
If you've serviced, or built, your own bike at sometime you start thinking about building your own wheels. When you do this is the book to buy, it tells you everything you need to know to build good quality wheels.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
sstefanov
a Cross Country Rider
from Sofia, Bulgaria Date Reviewed: October 12, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Many
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
wheelpro.co.uk
Strengths:
Simple, straight forward, very logical explanations
Weaknesses:
None
Bottom Line:
This might come as the best $15 I have spent in for my cycling. I have build 5 wheels myself, which I am riding since more than 1 year, and I could not be more happy. I find the whole process of researching the components, getting them and building them in to a great wheel is very very satisfying.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Phekdra
a Racer
from UK Date Reviewed: October 12, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
Author's web site
Strengths:
Great step-by-step guide to building a wheel.
Weaknesses:
A bit preachy at times.
Similar Products Used:
The Art of Wheelbuilding
Bike Setup:
Two wheels, bars and a saddle
Bottom Line:
The highlight is the excellent step-by-step guide, which took me, a complete novice, from a set of spokes, a rim and a hub to a pair of wheels which are far better than the factory set that came with the bike. But there's also a lot of background information on the components and tools to use and the theory behind the wheel. The best wheel book I've come across.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
EcoRacer
a Cross Country Rider
from Belgium Date Reviewed: October 12, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
high quality drawings, great tips, checklist, truing stand building plans, good and simple guide...
Weaknesses:
None i can think of.
Similar Products Used:
Free online books, school wheelbuilding books,...
Bottom Line:
This is absolutely the best book i have read so far!
The drawings and pictures are very good and detailed.
This book gave me the courage to finally build my first wheelsets. It has a very good explanation on the more difficult parts of wheelbuilding and a good guide to start building your own truing stand. This is an absolute must buy for every one interested in wheelbuilding!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
PloddinPedro
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: October 12, 2008
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
I've used Roger's book for a number of years, finding it the most clear and comprehensive description of wheel building I've come across. The method works and the book's layout is easy to understand and follow - I wouldn't want to be without it.
$
Overall Rating: