How do I get a hub motor laced into a new rim?

[MikeFairbanks]

Is this something I should try myself or find a pro? And can most bike shops handle lacing a rim?

I have a 26-inch 9c that I'd like to put into a 20-inch or 16-inch rim for some crazy fun on a small bike in the mud around here.

 

[Ykick]

Is this something I should try myself or find a pro? And can most bike shops handle lacing a rim?

I have a 26-inch 9c that I'd like to put into a 20-inch or 16-inch rim for some crazy fun on a small bike in the mud around here.

Bike shops around me didn't instill confidence they would treat phase/hall wires with due respect and most won't have much experience lacing large hubs either. I finally said "screw it" and have now done several wheels on my own. With reasonable mechanical skills it's not hard work. While not a pro, the wheels I've built have held up better than anything I've bought to date.

What you propose would be a fairly simple radial lace job. I say go for it, save some money, get it done on your schedule, use good spokes/rims and learn an invaluable skill for wheelmen.

 

[ian.mich]

LBS wil RUIN the phases. For a while i would redo the phases and then have it laced, no more! custome phases go in later.

 

[MattyCiii]

I recommend DIY build. It's not hard to do, it's rewarding, and it paves the way to having good maintenance (e.g., truing) skills.

 

[Sunder]

A friend of mine who has done wheel building, took one look at it, and told me to send it to my LBS. Not worth the time to do it, since it'll be custom sized spokes, dished, and there was something unusual about the spoke holes? NFI...

My LBS laced up my wheel using some very heavy guage spokes. Perfectly true, but he offered a free "true up" after a month. Didn't damage the phase wires or anything.

Only thing is... They took 7 weeks to do it :| (Their mechanic quit, leaving a whole lot of work undone).

 

[DAND214]

I've had it done a the LBS and it took a long time and money. Since then i have done it myself.

You need the ERD and the hub DIA. so you can get the correct spokes. Here is the spoke calculator http://www.ebikes.ca/SpokeCalc.shtml

Radial spokes are much easier than x pattern. So just do it.
Also is a source for cheap good spokes SAPIM 14g is all you need http://www.danscomp.com/435905.phpCheap and really fast.

GO for it.

Dan

 

[dogman dan]

Since I believe you are talking about a front hub, I hope you are planning on sticking it on a bmx bike's rear wheel, for a no chain setup on narrow bmx dropouts.

Get a spoke and rim kit, and go for it. Easy.

 

[MattyCiii]

Radial spokes are much easier than x pattern. So just do it.

I'd say that a 1 cross is even easier than a simple radial pattern - unless the spokes are really short, like less than 4".

 

[Ypedal]

9C in a 20" rim, nothing but radial. easy as pie.

 

[mlt34]

Radial spokes are much easier than x pattern. So just do it.

I'd say that a 1 cross is even easier than a simple radial pattern - unless the spokes are really short, like less than 4".

If he's doing a 20 or 16" wheel, those are some seriously short spokes. Something like 50 mm, less than 2 inches, for a 16" rim

If you've never done it before and are nervous about it, take it to a local bike shop and see what it will cost (and if they'll actually do it). Warn them about the phase and hall wires (hall wires being even easier to sever) and maybe wrap some protective duct tape around the end of the axle (but leave the nuts on axle and don't let the tape go down far enough to disturb the nut, they need it for the truing stand).

If you want to give it a go yourself though, it can be a rewarding experience. Radial is very easy, like others said. For your rim sizes, 20" or 16" you don't even have the option to do a single cross since the nipples would be at such extreme angles in the rim. There are a lot of great sites online that walk you through the wheel truing process, but basically just put the wheel in your dropouts, put a ziptie on the fork or chain stay, cut it so its about a millimeter from the edge of the rim and use it as a gauge to tighten or loosen the nipples until the rim spins true. If you just can't get the truing right, bring the almost true wheel to a local bike shop and have them true it. should be a 20 minute job or less at that point.

 

[mlt34]

Also is a source for cheap good spokes SAPIM 14g is all you need http://www.danscomp.com/435905.phpCheap and really fast.

Dan,
Have you used those 14g spokes and can you vouch for their quality? I've got a few 9Cs I need to lace into 26" rims. I like the look (and price) of some of those colored anodized spokes, but I don't know if 14g will be strong enough for the 9C rim up to about 1500 watts.

 

[Kingfish]

To the OP,

I was very lucky and found a former Boeing engineer who is avidly enjoying his retirement as a bike technician. I met him first at REI though I believe he’s moved to another local bike shop that I enjoy. He does all my hubs, mating solid quality rims in 24 and 26 inch to my 9Cs front and rear. We have been using the Sapim Strong Single Butted Spokes almost exclusively, and I’ve never had a breakage or significant stretch.

After all this time I am OK with adjusting the tension for simple maintenance, but if I need another bike wheel built, he’s my go-to guy in Redmond.

I would encourage looking around for talent at a reputable bike shop. You could also ask JRH here at ES.

Best of luck, KF

 

[DAND214]

Also is a source for cheap good spokes SAPIM 14g is all you need http://www.danscomp.com/435905.phpCheap and really fast.

Dan,
Have you used those 14g spokes and can you vouch for their quality? I've got a few 9Cs I need to lace into 26" rims. I like the look (and price) of some of those colored anodized spokes, but I don't know if 14g will be strong enough for the 9C rim up to about 1500 watts.

YES! I have had better luck with them than any OEM crap. Broke 2 in a year. They broke at the nipple, not enough angle in the holes. I have done a 9c 2x, 2 MAC 1x, Bafang 1x, Cute128 1x and a couple others.

The MACs are my regular rides. 8t on 15s4p LiPo from HK. Most ridden on road but I do get in the dirt paths more in the summer.

The spokes have been great and the service/price is fantastic.
They also sell other spokes, look around for them.
I order Monday and they are here Wensday, most the time.

Dan