Local idiot tries to build a tadpole

[BionicOnion]

13ga is 2.34mm.

When you use spokes that are too thick, you reduce the load that the wheel will carry reliably, and you get an assortment of problems that could be avoided by using thinner spokes.

Gotcha. So when it comes time for the nicer set of wheels, be sure to look for thinner gauge. The second set will be likely 36h, which obviously I'll be getting another set of hubs and whatnot. This particular set of rims are off a cheap kids bike if I'm honest, single wall steel. So I mean... for now they'll work. At most ill probably keep them for a slushy weather wheel since I won't be going on any longer rides or care as much. These sets were off amazon at like 8$/set and you were right. I misread they are 2.2 supposedly. Learning as i go.

 

[The Toecutter]

Gotcha. So when it comes time for the nicer set of wheels, be sure to look for thinner gauge. The second set will be likely 36h, which obviously I'll be getting another set of hubs and whatnot. This particular set of rims are off a cheap kids bike if I'm honest, single wall steel. So I mean... for now they'll work. At most ill probably keep them for a slushy weather wheel since I won't be going on any longer rides or care as much. These sets were off amazon at like 8$/set and you were right. I misread they are 2.2 supposedly. Learning as i go.

If you use thicker/heavier DOT rims, you can use thicker spokes while strengthening the wheel, to a point. Weight goes up significantly though. Worth the tradeoff, IMO. Necessary if you want a wheel worthy of sustained highway-speed use, but then you have to look at frame/suspension/brake/axle upgrades too.

 

[BionicOnion]

Attempt #....8 i think. Redid everything, measurements seemed all good. Separated spokes and found again somehow I screwed a few up so I sorted both packs, left long, right shorter. Went through per lacing instructions...and it was wrong. All the inners on the non brake side were rattling. Looked at it and thought... what if I had my spokes wrong and somehow it still had a cross above the valve.... room for the air chuck, but a cross. I undid the non brake side and left brake side together, and literally shifted every spoke 1 hole to the left and redid the nipples... now all spokes near same tension or very very close. A little runout which I think I can get out by truing. And spoke tensions..... man I hope I got it right this time