Author Topic: Wilkerson twisted spoke wheel build (Read 4536 times)

ED209 · « **on:** August 03, 2013, 07:09 AM »

So having scooped a pair of PeriPeri hubs for £19.99 on ebay I'm finally ready to try and build a set of WAL style twisted spoke wheels.

Only pics I can find are here... but anyone got any tips? so you start with a regular 48 spoke build then twist the last spoke in? anyone ever built any?

pickle · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2013, 07:52 AM »

No, they look horrible $:-\$

stidds · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2013, 08:18 AM »

Of course I have built those wheels Ed, they are actually called 'snowflake' pattern lacing.

The first problem you will encounter is spoke sizing, you need longer spokes than normal as you have to take the twist into account.

They are also not advisable on the rear wheel as they are nowhere near as strong as 'normal' lacing.

The twist is done by hand, cross two spokes and twist them around each other, but go careful not to have that twist too close to the nipple as this can fracture the spoke at the nipple.

They are quite difficult to tension as the twist stops the tensioning process.

ED209 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 03, 2013, 08:29 AM »

Quote from: pickle on August 03, 2013, 07:52 AM

No, they look horrible $:-\$

F-cough Roberrt

go polish a Streetbeat

ED209 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 03, 2013, 08:38 AM »

Quote from: stidds on August 03, 2013, 08:18 AM

Of course I have built those wheels Ed, they are actually called 'snowflake' pattern lacing.

The first problem you will encounter is spoke sizing, you need longer spokes than normal as you have to take the twist into account.

They are also not advisable on the rear wheel as they are nowhere near as strong as 'normal' lacing.

The twist is done by hand, cross two spokes and twist them around each other, but go careful not to have that twist too close to the nipple as this can fracture the spoke at the nipple.

They are quite difficult to tension as the twist stops the tensioning process.

you are really getting me stoked on building these Sean

how much longer do you think the spokes need to be? 10mm? 20mm?

Gary72 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 03, 2013, 08:53 AM »

Ed, there are various online guides as well as the resident expert stidds.
I sold a wheel last MK with twisted spokes. I like the look of them. I have heard they can be noisy when riding as the spokes rub. Mine had what looked like grease at the twist point.
Also heard of people cable tieing the joint or soldering them.
There are some interesting patterns out there.
Harris(Dan) might be able to help you too.

GavinDavis · « **Reply #6 on:** August 03, 2013, 09:18 AM »

Cant wait too see these built! And will be interesting to know the spoke length too! Any more decals where they came from Ed?

Dark Diggler · « **Reply #7 on:** August 03, 2013, 09:38 AM »

Some good info on here Edmund, the concensus is that the spokes need to be 2mm longer per twist.
Have a read
http://forums.mtbr.com/wheels-tires/spoke-length-twist-lacing-605441.html

gary4130 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 03, 2013, 10:23 AM »

yeah there easy to do ed-done a couple of sets myself,ignore everbody i have always liked the look of them

rode my 36 h 7x's for years with no probs -only had 1 spoke snap,theres pice of them on my red big daddy ,pm me if you need any more pics

john4130 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 03, 2013, 01:32 PM »

i,ve built a set before, i built them the normal way first leaving the spokes loose then went round the wheel removing 2 nipples at a time and twisting them then replace the nipples, i never bothered using longer spokes either and it still worked. i think they look cool but if you snap 1 spoke then you effectively lose 2.

kev-s · « **Reply #10 on:** August 03, 2013, 02:38 PM »

ive done this to a set of super pros back in the early 90's

all i did was loosen of all the spokes a few turns then i undid one spoke a wrapped it around the spoke it crossed

oldtired · « **Reply #11 on:** August 03, 2013, 05:02 PM »

Ed , nightmare pal, Stidds is right on with his advice they're a real fooker to get tensioned up , and as G72 says they're noisy , ping like fook all the time, see the above

i built some twisted wheels, bit90's

took some time to get em settled, had to keep re truing em , eventually they were ok , thing is if they fail they do so properly n taco yer rim , spitting ya over the bars to a very nice face plant

, not putting ya off or owt

they do look good though

gary4130 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 04, 2013, 10:36 AM »

anybody seen the double twisted spoke ones on the 'bay

was going to say i remember seeing a pic of jeese p riding with a set of these -will see if i can find the pic

ED209 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 04, 2013, 10:06 PM »

I like the idea of building them normal then doing the twist

They will only get rolled around on ... not ridden in anger

but I'd love to get as close to an original set of WAL Riot wheels as I can.

Will post uo a pic of the rims / hubs in a bit ... Gav... I got all the decals from Ron. LMK if you are going to get some as I need some more... the rear hub ones don't fit! too small for the hub... and the rim ones didn't fit properly either

which is maybe why they never got used BITD

but they went on near enough ...

GavinDavis · « **Reply #14 on:** August 04, 2013, 10:26 PM »

Ed.....

Holla at me dude.....im ready

ED209 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 27, 2013, 08:04 AM »

Quote from: Dark Diggler on August 03, 2013, 09:38 AM

Some good info on here Edmund, the concensus is that the spokes need to be 2mm longer per twist.
Have a read
http://forums.mtbr.com/wheels-tires/spoke-length-twist-lacing-605441.html

cheers Si ... will check that out

ED209 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 06, 2013, 06:54 PM »

Hubs and rims ready ...

spokes on the way from J.T.

managed to get some 189mm spokes which may be a bit long as the normal build length would be 184 ... we'll see

kalex · « **Reply #17 on:** September 06, 2013, 07:26 PM »

Looking forward to seeing these when done

GavinDavis · « **Reply #18 on:** September 06, 2013, 07:28 PM »

Yep really looking forward to these!

Ed....if the spokes are to long youre gonna have to go for the double twist lol

ED209 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 06, 2013, 07:33 PM »

Quote from: GavinDavis on September 06, 2013, 07:28 PM

Yep really looking forward to these!

Ed....if the spokes are to long youre gonna have to go for the double twist lol

Mr Stidds says you can just grind the tops off

so its 'half twist'

GavinDavis · « **Reply #20 on:** September 06, 2013, 07:40 PM »

As long as the threads on the spokes are cut long enough then you will get away with grinding them.

I wouldnt personally go for that option though if I could help it mate, itl make fir a right pig when initially taking up the slack in the spokes, be prepared for some sore fingers with your spoke wrench he he.

But nevertheless.....cant wait to see them dude

ED209 · « **Reply #21 on:** September 06, 2013, 08:35 PM »

Quote from: GavinDavis on September 06, 2013, 07:40 PM

As long as the threads on the spokes are cut long enough then you will get away with grinding them.

I wouldnt personally go for that option though if I could help it mate, itl make fir a right pig when initially taking up the slack in the spokes, be prepared for some sore fingers with your spoke wrench he he.

But nevertheless.....cant wait to see them dude

will do one then see how it goes

Munnyella · « **Reply #22 on:** September 06, 2013, 10:57 PM »

Christ Ed, are these still not done?

?

get your thumb from your ass and build them...., stop making cards, stop walking dogs, stop feeding kids, BMX is priority!!!

its not like you drink or owt!!

MM

ED209 · « **Reply #23 on:** September 07, 2013, 07:22 AM »

Quote from: Munnyella on September 06, 2013, 10:57 PM

Christ Ed, are these still not done??

get your thumb from your ass and build them...., stop making cards, stop walking dogs, stop feeding kids, BMX is priority!!!

its not like you drink or owt!!

MM

oh... recovered from storming off in a mardy at the Boardroom have we

Munnyella · « **Reply #24 on:** September 07, 2013, 08:10 AM »

Just tired and hungry Ed, and needed my nappy changing!!!