Rohloff Hub wheel rebuild

[middleagecyclist]

Hope someone can help please.

I have a touring bike with a Rohloff Speedhub laced to a 32h Rigida Andra 30 heavy duty touring rim. Despite having less than 3000 miles light/moderate use over less than a year I have just found a split along the rim join.

Going to rebuild with another Rigida Andra 30 as this is the recommended rim for the Rohloff hub and has great reviews for touring/heavy use. I am just putting it down to bad luck as the wheel is actually still very true with tight spokes and no bulging.

Can anyone suggest someone in the Manchester area who is not just a good wheelbuilder but had some experience lacing a Rohloff?

Thanks

Picture of the split

 

[vernon]

That isn't a split as such. It's a piece that's broken away where the ends are butted together to form a hoop.

Harry Hall's is as good as any for wheel building.

Does the Rohloff need special lacing?

 

[middleagecyclist]

That isn't a split as such. It's a piece that's broken away where the ends are butted together to form a hoop.

Harry Hall's is as good as any for wheel building.

Does the Rohloff need special lacing?

Thought as much as the wheel is otherwise fine. Surely it will still weaken the wheel though?

The Rohloff does require specific lacing and i'm not sure if someone not used to one would get it quite right.

I'll give Harry Hall's a ring later.

Cheers

 

[andrew_s]

Surely it will still weaken the wheel though?

Not really.
The spokes are compressing the rim and squeezing the 2 sides of the gap together, so it's not going to come apart or anything. Probably the most likely problem would be chafing of the tyre sidewall, and I doubt the gap is big enough for that to be a real problem.
Rims have only been welded over the last 12-13 years or so. Before that, all rims joints were just pinned or sleeved in the box section cavity, with the flanges just butting together. Some still are.

 

[trio25]

Try these guys
Keep Pedalling

They are on Hilton Street Manchester and I am nearly 100% sure the mechanic has built wheels with a Rolhloff hub, in fact I think he has a bike of his own with one.