Bicycle Wheelbuilding
A Complete Bench Reference for Spoke Length Calculation, Lacing, and Truing from 16 to 40 Spokes
★★★★★3.6 · 8 reviewsby Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
Stop guessing spoke lengths and tension. This bench reference gives you the exact math, tables, and procedures to build true, durable wheels every time.
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About this book
If you've ever built a wheel that went out of true after a few rides, or struggled to figure out which spoke length to order, this is the book for you. It's not a general cycling manual — it's a focused, bench-ready guide to the two most critical aspects of wheelbuilding: spoke length calculation and spoke tension. No more forum arguments, no more 'close enough' lengths, no more wheels that ping and wobble.
Inside, you'll find a complete spoke length calculator that works for any hub and rim combination, with step-by-step worked examples for the most common setups (Shimano, Campagnolo, DT Swiss, Mavic, and more). Pre-calculated tables cover 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, and 36-spoke wheels in common lacing patterns (3-cross, 2-cross, radial), with corrections for different nipple types and rim profiles. Tension tables give you target values for DT Swiss, Sapim, and Wheelsmith spokes in stainless steel, titanium, and aluminum, plus rim-specific limits to avoid cracking.
Every procedure is numbered and precise: how to measure effective rim diameter, how to set your truing stand, how to bring a wheel to tension in three passes, and how to stress-relieve the spokes. There's a full troubleshooting chapter for common problems like wobbles, hops, and broken spokes, each with a symptom/cause/fix table. This book lives on your workbench, not on a shelf — open it at the stand and follow the numbers.
Reader Reviews
Anthony Perez
★★★★★I've built a few wheels following YouTube videos, but always had to guess on spoke lengths. This book's calculator and tables are worth the price alone. The pre-calculated lengths for my Shimano/Mavic combo were spot on. The truing stand protocol is clear, but I wish there were more diagrams for the lacing patterns. Still, a solid bench reference.
Paul Hall
★★★★★It's a good book, but not perfect. The spoke length theory section is thorough, but I found the tension tables a bit overwhelming at first. The troubleshooting chapter saved me when I had a persistent wobble. I was hoping for more on carbon rims, but the basics are covered. If you're a beginner, you might need to read a few sections twice.
Nancy King
★★★★★I'm a hobbyist who has built a couple of wheels, and this book helped me get my spoke lengths right without endless forum digging. The procedures are exact, which I like. However, I felt the book was a bit too focused on the math and didn't give enough on the 'feel' of truing. But I guess that's the point — it's a bench reference, not a philosophy book.
Sharon Walker
★★★★★This is the wheelbuilding book I've been searching for. I've built wheels for years but always struggled with tension consistency. The 3-pass method and tension tables changed my process completely. My last wheel came out perfectly true and has stayed that way. The pre-calculated tables are a godsend. It's now the only book I keep on my bench.
Sandra Thomas
★★★★★As someone who does my own maintenance, I appreciate the exact values and procedures. The spoke length calculator is clear, and I used it to order spokes for a custom hub. The tension tables are comprehensive, but I did have to cross-reference with my tensiometer's manual. The troubleshooting section is practical and solved my dishing issue. A bit dense, but worth it.
Joseph Perez
★★★★★Decent book, but not what I expected. I was looking for more on wheelbuilding from scratch, but this is really about the math and tension. That's fine, but the title should be clearer. The procedures are good, and I did use the length tables for a rear wheel build. It's a bit dry, but it does the job. I'd recommend it if you're already comfortable with the basics.
Mark White
★★★★★I've been a mechanic for years, and this book is a great refresher and reference. The spoke length tables are handy, and the tension tables are spot on. The truing stand protocol is a bit rigid for my taste, but it's a good starting point. The troubleshooting chapter is useful for those rare issues. I bought it for the tables, and I'm not disappointed.
Paul Adams
★★★★★It's okay. I bought it because I wanted to learn to build wheels, but I found the math heavy. The pre-calculated tables helped, but I still had to figure out some things on my own. The book assumes you have a tensiometer, which I didn't initially. The procedures are clear, but I wish there were more photos. It's a good reference, but not a beginner's guide.