Self-assembley of Black Brompton wheel set advice

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snaz
Posts: 91
Joined: 6 Nov 2019, 7:35pm

Self-assembley of Black Brompton wheel set advice

Post by snaz »

Hi

Seeking some basic advice about pros/cons - ease/issues of building/assembling my own black Brompton wheel set.

I've been quoted by a wheel builder:
1) Black wheels from scratch with a BWR hub. c.£560.
3) Brompton pre-made black wheels convert other parts to all black c.£500-600.

But i'm wondering if i can get that price down by assembling the wheel parts myself.

I was linked to these parts in a previous post:
Black rims:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/rims-tape/m ... k-28-hole/
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/rims-tape/m ... k-28-hole/
Half Black rims and spokes:
https://brilliantbikes.co.uk/84-brompto ... front-rear

So a couple of specific questions:

1. Do i need a 'wheel building jig' or can i do it without as these 2 youtube video guys seem to show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YBVUiAeLmQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-RKN4clIGs

2. How do i know what size spokes to get ? My wheel set includes a BWR 6 speed rear wheel
https://brilliantbikes.co.uk/84-brompto ... front-rear
Do Brompton wheels use stright gauge, double butted or single butted spokes ?

3. Is there a specific type of nipple should i use ? I want them in black also which i think seem widely available ?

4. What size inside tape do i need to buy ?

Is there anything else people can think of ?

Much appreciated..

sp
drossall
Posts: 6115
Joined: 5 Jan 2007, 10:01pm
Location: North Hertfordshire

Re: Self-assembley of Black Brompton wheel set advice

Post by drossall »

I've been building my own wheels for about forty years now. Only my own, so not a massive number in that time, but a fair few. It's not particularly hard, but I already knew how to true wheels, and am happy doing various mechanical and repair jobs. Lacing (the basic assembly) is then not hard, although I still make mistakes every now and then just from insufficient practice, and have to go back and correct myself. I don't see why Brompton wheels would be harder or easier than any others.

The thing about building your own is that you can choose your own parts. It doesn't really matter what Brompton use. Look around the videos and other wheel-building resources around the Web and make a decision. A good supplier will tell you what size you need, but will need to know what rim and hub you are using, and what lacing you are using (next paragraph). Or there are spoke-length calculators on the Web.

The standard way to build a full-size wheel is cross-3. Brompton wheels are (obviously) small, so cross-3 is overdoing it in the available space. Bear that in mind if watching a video made for full-size wheels. Mine (which came with the bike) are cross-2 at the back (with an SA 3-speed hub), and cross-1 at the front (with a dynohub). In neither case are the spokes actually laced such that a spoke that goes "behind" the first spoke(s) that it crosses then comes in front of the last one, and vice versa. Again, there isn't really space in a small wheel to do that.

A wheel-building jig makes things easier, but is not essential. I bought one because I knew I was going to use it repeatedly. A good-quality spoke key is the most important thing.

These notes are brief and assume some knowledge. If anything doesn't make sense, ask.
rualexander
Posts: 2639
Joined: 2 Jul 2007, 9:47pm
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Re: Self-assembley of Black Brompton wheel set advice

Post by rualexander »

£560 is excessive.
Just go to St John Street Cycles and order from them.
e.g.
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/wheelsbromp ... rim-black/

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/wheelswheel ... eel-black/

Get them to add on the appropriate sprockets and rim tape and you're good to go for around £300.
snaz
Posts: 91
Joined: 6 Nov 2019, 7:35pm

Re: Self-assembley of Black Brompton wheel set advice

Post by snaz »

thanks for the advice so far folks

I'm beggining to build a picture of what might be required to self assembley . Cheers.

Do people think truing a 16" Brompton wheel might actually be easier than truing a larger wheel ? Just because they're so much more compact ?

Cheers


sp
drossall
Posts: 6115
Joined: 5 Jan 2007, 10:01pm
Location: North Hertfordshire

Re: Self-assembley of Black Brompton wheel set advice

Post by drossall »

You still have to get the tension even in different spokes and so on. The rim might logically move side to side less for the same error in tensioning, but I wouldn't rely on that.

One factor is dishing - with a single (or double) sprocket rather than a 9-/10-/11/12-speed cassette, less dishing is needed in the rear wheel. That would make it marginally easier.
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foxyrider
Posts: 6044
Joined: 29 Aug 2011, 10:25am
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Re: Self-assembley of Black Brompton wheel set advice

Post by foxyrider »

My experience is that smaller wheels often build straighter from the off but that is offset by being a bit less easy to lace as the spokes have less flex.
Convention? what's that then?
Airnimal Chameleon touring, Orbit Pro hack, Orbit Photon audax, Focus Mares AX tour, Peugeot Carbon sportive, Owen Blower vintage race - all running Tulio's finest!
snaz
Posts: 91
Joined: 6 Nov 2019, 7:35pm

Re: Self-assembley of Black Brompton wheel set advice

Post by snaz »

cheers everyone - appreciated
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