London Fixed-gear and Single-speed

I want to organise a wheel building class and I’m looking for 6-8 people to join me, chip in £20 each and pay an experienced builder to show us how. It will take 3-4 hours one evening or weekend day before the end of the month.

The idea is that we buy and take along our own components and end up with the wheels we want and the confidence and know-how to do it again.

I know there are a few guides that have been recommended in a number of threads here recently, but personally I’m not so keen on learning from books and videos; I’d prefer to have someone on hand to talk me through it and answer questions. And there’s the added bonus of this being sociable (i.e. meet other forumengers, beers involved).

Hopefully SmallBrownBike will be our guru - he’s got a stack of tools, is suitably skilled and is up for this, date depending.

Anyone interested?

sounds great idea dude, I'm up for it if it's rather soon, say next fortnight. SBB would definitely be a good bet, I think he does it at the workshop on Sundays anyway though...?

I'm sure there are quite a few major contenders on the site but Hillbilly also has a v. solid reputation as a wheelbuilder.

The video I watched last night on youtube got my enthusiasms for this, I was thinking along very similar lines. Problem with videos/books by yourself you can get to a horrible point where they've lost you no matter how many timres you rewind and you need something physically clarified at this point.

I'm up for this too :-)

I'm in as well. I just read the Wheel Pro book by Roger Musson and am eager to build.

i can pop along and help out if neccesary :)

Crikey, 20 minutes later, 3 pupils and an extra master. cool. Dogs, thanks for the offer, i'm sure it would be helpful.

Once we get enough folk i'll check with SBB and put up some possible dates.

can bring my shitty wheel stand

yes just what i need! when would this be?

Me too. First(ish) post though I've been reading for a while and this is exactly what i've been looking for. I'm in the process of gathering together various fixed bits and I'm keen to build as much as possible. So count me in please.

I've built too many wheels this month. But suspect I'll be building more for my flatmate before the month is out.

Anyone want to do it for her ;]

(Before you comment. Shut up dogs)

btw tell fat boy, i need to pick up those wheels still!

I'm tres interested.

I could be up for this depending on time. I've got a couple of front 650c tubs coming, but I'm going to need at least one clincher...

i am interested too.

Count me in. Have always been curious about this. Ta.

I'm interested if there's still room.
Was keen to go on a course at Bikeworks near Victoria Park but they won't be doing a course till later in the summer.

Hells yes. I got the rims if anyone got some hubs?! Just let me know when and where...

if we're talking everyone brings their own stuff I have a rim, a hub but that's it, would need spokes and nipples if it happened tomorrow. Maybe we can secure a massive, cut price batch from somewhere?

I'd love to do this too.

Need some warning to get hold of parts though.

Yet another pupil.

haha in my sleepy pre tea state I thought you were Jos and was about to ask if you were serious :P

PJS, i have a few boxes of ACI double butted spokes, in the main lengths of 260mm, 280mm, 290mm and even some 300mm.

cyclebasket sell a box of 144 for £19.90 ;)

Dogs also sells a box of 144 for £29.90

actually i have some black brass nipples, which are hard to get hold of £20 a box of 100 :p

£20! You thieving cunt ;]

Okay, we've got the numbers for a first sesh. I'll check with SBB and post some possible dates. Then we can work out if there's an order for bits that we can pool for discount.


If anyone else is interested, stick your name down - we can always try to organise another one.

Interested. id say there are probably enough for two classes no? or if dogs is coming down two, then one class two teachers...?

Definitely digging the pooled parts idea.

Depending on the date I'd be up for this as well. I can bring a wheel stand, brought a Park Tool one some time ago, have trued and redished some wheels but not yet built any from scratch. Also have a dishing tool somewhere.

I'd also realy appreciate some help with calculating spoke lenghts, I've got 32 hole Ambrosio track hubs and 32 hole Ambrosio Evolution rims. I've got spoke calc but haven't been able to track down/work out the neccessary measurements for the hubs and rims to use it. Any help much appreciated :)

I am up for this too. Just have to order the right stuff in time

SmallBrownBike is up for doing a couple of classes if we have enough people, but places on each are limited to 8. Venue will be at SBB's place on Shacklewell Lane, Dalston.

Please add your name to the list under whichever of these dates is your preference:

Thursday 26th (7pm)
1. Playswellwithotters


Saturday 28th (afternoon)

I'm in for this!

Saturday 28th (afternoon)
horatiotigre

Thursday 26th (7pm)
1. Playswellwithotters


Saturday 28th (afternoon)
1. horatiotigre

Thursday 26th (7pm)
1. Playswellwithotters
2. JOL


Saturday 28th (afternoon)
1. horatiotigre

Thursday 26th (7pm)
1. Playswellwithotters
2. JOL
3. Ved


Saturday 28th (afternoon)
1. horatiotigre

tempted on this, don't really need new wheels but really keen to learn how to build them. I'll have a think and check my wallet, could always file it under education no?

Cheers for organising this Mr Otters!

Thursday 26th (7pm)
1. Playswellwithotters
2. JOL
3. Ved
4. rjs

Saturday 28th (afternoon)
1. horatiotigre