Spoke wheel debacle!

Why didn’t he call you after the sand blasting and say,”Look, I don’t think this will paint-up well?”

No harm in that and shows he wants the same quality as you.
Yeah That is exactly what i would have expected, even if he said look theres going to be an extra cost to get it in the right shape for painting id have said yeah, no point in half doing it. Anyway as an update i have messaged him this morning with picture and details of my dissatisfaction with the works. He has asked me to bring it back in and he will get it re powder coated, No mention of the poor hub spoke fitment but he has to take them apart to get it coated so hopefully he puts it back together with a bit more care. my only trepidation is going to collect it again an finding it not much better but ill give him a chance, the wheel was in good shape it has just been left in the back of someone's garage for the past 15 years.
 
Yeah That is exactly what i would have expected, even if he said look theres going to be an extra cost to get it in the right shape for painting id have said yeah, no point in half doing it. Anyway as an update i have messaged him this morning with picture and details of my dissatisfaction with the works. He has asked me to bring it back in and he will get it re powder coated, No mention of the poor hub spoke fitment but he has to take them apart to get it coated so hopefully he puts it back together with a bit more care. my only trepidation is going to collect it again an finding it not much better but ill give him a chance, the wheel was in good shape it has just been left in the back of someone's garage for the past 15 years.
Rather than just hoping the spoke fitment is better next time, specifically tell him that it needs to be much better (perfect even) next time. I can't help thinking though that letting him do any more work to your wheel is a bad idea based on his shocking first attempt. You are unfortunately a bit screwed as you paid upfront. Not sure how he convinced you to do that. That would have instantly got me walking away.
 
Give the fella a chance. Be clear about expectations and explain this is important to you. Please report back.
 
Rather than just hoping the spoke fitment is better next time, specifically tell him that it needs to be much better (perfect even) next time. I can't help thinking though that letting him do any more work to your wheel is a bad idea based on his shocking first attempt. You are unfortunately a bit screwed as you paid upfront. Not sure how he convinced you to do that. That would have instantly got me walking away.
was only couple hundred quid so wasn't like i was handing him a fortune. I did find it odd but he came recommended reviews looked decent just one of those things always have legal protections through customers rights but as mentioned hes having it back so least hes doing the right thing so far.
 
When I rebuilt my Van van wheels .I had the stainless spokes where made by central wheel in Birmingham.
I dropped in the original Suzuki spokes into Central Wheel workshop they made identical J bends ,gauge and lengths .4 different design in front wheel 4 different design rear wheel .
When I carefully populated the wheels with the correct spoke in the correct orientation it all fitted like a little jigsaw .Each spoke seated fine
Dare I suggest easier than building push bike wheels ,they flex more .
I only used a wheel balancing jig and treated myself to a spoke /nipple torque wrench.
Someone who is accepting payment for wheel building should hopefully of figured this out years ago ?
I would move on and employ central wheel they do power,ceracote and manufacturing the spokes /building.
Wheels are very important as you are bombing along the road.
 
Give the fella a chance. Be clear about expectations and explain this is important to you. Please report back.
yeah as mentioned im having a chat with him when i drop it off. feels a bit condescending to say when i first dropped it of that i expect the wheel to be returned to a good standard of finish, you would kind of think it was obvious :ROFLMAO:. I will be making sure we are on the same page this time round
 
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When I rebuilt my Van van wheels .I had the stainless spokes where made by central wheel in Birmingham.
I dropped in the original Suzuki spokes into Central Wheel workshop they made identical J bends ,gauge and lengths .4 different design in front wheel 4 different design rear wheel .
When I carefully populated the wheels with the correct spoke in the correct orientation it all fitted like a little jigsaw .Each spoke seated fine
Dare I suggest easier than building push bike wheels ,they flex more .
I only used a wheel balancing jig and treated myself to a spoke /nipple torque wrench.
Someone who is accepting payment for wheel building should hopefully of figured this out years ago ?
I would move on and employ central wheel they do power,ceracote and manufacturing the spokes /building.
Wheels are very important as you are bombing along the road.
yeah i mentioned braking forces and was no way i was putting them on the bike after seeing them not seated right. I would have preferred he said heres your money back and id have took it to staffordshire wheelworks where i had my 21" wheel done they did a cracking job. But i got to let him chance to put it right.
 
yeah i mentioned braking forces and was no way i was putting them on the bike after seeing them not seated right. I would have preferred he said heres your money back and id have took it to staffordshire wheelworks where i had my 21" wheel done they did a cracking job. But i got to let him chance to put it right.
Looking at that mess ,, I simply wouldn’t ride on a wheel from that bod ,,, that standard of workmanship is a disgrace ,,, and any craft bod with a conscience and skill wouldn’t have handed over that dangerous looking amateurish mess cannot be trusted !
 
Looking at that mess ,, I simply wouldn’t ride on a wheel from that bod ,,, that standard of workmanship is a disgrace ,,, and any craft bod with a conscience and skill wouldn’t have handed over that dangerous looking amateurish mess cannot be trusted !
In one
Wheel builder must have been Stevie Wonder
 
Those spokes have been laced in the wrong order.
That’s what’s caused the improper seating in the hub locating holes - nothing to do with a build-up of coat/finish.
 
Those spokes have been laced in the wrong order.
That’s what’s caused the improper seating in the hub locating holes - nothing to do with a build-up of coat/finish.
Just out of curiosity how do you mean the wrong order? i don't know anything about spoke building but i was assuming they are all the same length and get seated in and then each one pulled in/out slightly to find true, my first thought was has he cut one slightly to long and not had enough adjustment but again i dont know feck all about wheel building haha. cheers
 
The ‘heel’ of each spoke is interfering/touching an adjacent heel. It shouldn’t do this.
Your last two photos show it fairly well. Consequently, that’s why the heel is not seating correctly in the axle flange hole.

I doubt that wheel would get through an MOT.
 
The ‘heel’ of each spoke is interfering/touching an adjacent heel. It shouldn’t do this.
Your last two photos show it fairly well. Consequently, that’s why the heel is not seating correctly in the axle flange hole.

I doubt that wheel would get through an MOT.
Yes i see what you mean i just picked the wheel up and they are indeed touching, i think the also the angle of the bend must be wrong as although its about 4 that are majorly protruding and out all of them dont sit down into the seat flush where as even when i took the original wheel in they were all sitting flat and my 21" refurbed wheel they all sat flat.
 
For reference to that hear is the wheel before i took it in and also my 21" currently on my bike which wheelworks did a couple of years ago they did a fantastic job.
 

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Those spokes have been laced in the wrong order.
That’s what’s caused the improper seating in the hub locating holes - nothing to do with a build-up of coat/finish.
Yep
Looks like whoever built the wheel up, hasn’t got a clue what they’re doing
 


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