Machine built wheels: how article in cycle (request)1

[SA_SA_SA]

I thought a how machine built wheels (ie normal rims/spokes/hubs as in mass produced bikes) are built,
ie how those machines work.

As building a wheel seems to be an algorithm, I am puzzled as to why human built wheels are viewed as better: surely a well designed machine should be better faster and more consistent?

[Brian73]

The answer is Mass Production

Spoke lacing is an art, still done by hand and eye, haven't ever seen a machine do this. Machines tighten the nipples and check the spoke tension.

The human builder can spend a lot more time trueing and dishing the wheel.

Factories have to build them in the shortest time possible. Materials change shape under load so the human builder can fine tune the wheel over time. The factory built wheel passes a quick quality control check before it's boxed up and shipped half way accross the world.

[MikewsMITH2]

Dunno. I reckon this machine does a pretty good job
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55OZO9ZRWP0&NR=1

[atoz]

I've had hand built wheels for over 25 years- most of this time from the same wheelbuilder- my local friendly bike shop. Very reliable- only slip out of true when rims wearing out- not enough metal to maintain integrity. I was told off by a fellow club member for leaving it this long..

When I had machine built wheels I had spoke failures, even with wheels with Campag Tipo hubs- cheap and nasty spokes- froze onto spoke nipples. Since getting them rebuilt properly, I've had 5 builds out of these hubs- says it all really. With new cones and axles they're still going strong.

My new bike has Ultegra hubs 36H with Sapim spokes built 3X onto Mavic Open Sport rims. Given that rims are very much disposable these days, I didn't see the point of overspending on them. But you need decent hubs. As someone said years ago to me "Get t'best you can afford lad".

There was someone in our club who had spoke breakages on wheels with Tiagra hubs on a newish bike. For cassette hubs, this is terrible wheelbuilding quality. The hubs are decent quality products- it's just the shoddy factory build.

I rest my case.

[pete75]

Prolite build wheels by hand yet compete with the machine builders on quantity and price. The Arnie soundalike on the voice over says each wheel builder takes 6 months to train.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcAWqNI0sV8

[531colin]

Some of this ground has been covered before.
Can machine wheels be as good as hand built? http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=32713
stress relievinghttp://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=33595&hilit=stress+relieving
Theres more if you look!