How to Lace a BMX Wheel

Lay out all of your supplies. Be sure that you have 36 spokes, all in the correct length for your hub and rim combination. If you are uncertain, your local bike shop can determine what size spokes you need, or use Sheldon Brown's free online spoke length calculator (see Resources).

Insert a spoke into every other hole on the right side hub flange from the outside. You should be able to see the butt of each spoke on the outside of the hub, and should have an empty hub flange hole between each one. Insert the end of each of these spokes into a spoke hole on the correct side of the rim. When finished, you should have three empty rim holes between each spoke. Thread a spoke nipple onto to the end of each spoke until you can no longer see the spoke threading.

Insert a spoke through one of the empty right-side flange holes so that it touches the inside of the left flange. The hole on the left flange directly to the right of where the spoke touches the flange is where you should insert the first left side spoke.

Insert a spoke into every other hole on the left side hub flange from the outside. Insert the end of each of these spokes into a spoke hole on the rim directly next to each right side spoke and attach a spoke nipple to each one until you cannot see the spoke threading. When finished, you should have two empty holes between every two spokes attached to the rim.

Insert a spoke into each empty hole on the right side hub flange from the inside. You should be able to see the elbow of each spoke on the outside of the hub. Cross each spoke over the top of one previously attached right side spoke, and underneath another. Insert the end of each of these spokes into a spoke hole on the rim directly next to the left side spokes and attach a spoke nipple to each so you cannot see the spoke threading. You should end up with one empty rim hole between every three spokes attached to the rim, and a criss-cross spoke pattern on the right side of the wheel.

Insert a spoke into each empty hole on the left side hub flange from the inside. Cross each spoke over the top of one previously attached left side spoke, and underneath another. Insert the end of each of these spokes into one of the remaining spoke holes on the rim and attach a spoke nipple to each so you cannot see the spoke threading. At this point there should be no empty holes in the rim or hub, and a criss-cross spoke pattern on each side of the wheel, where each spoke crosses two other spokes on the same side of the wheel.

Set the wheel in a truing stand, or if you don't have one, tie two zip ties to each fork leg or seat stay of your bike's frame. Spin the wheel slowly and watch for instances where the rim touches one side of the truing stand, or one zip tie, but not the other. Tighten the spoke opposite the rub using a spoke wrench until the rim sits evenly between the guides. Repeat this process until the wheel is straight and even all the way around.

Attach a tire and tube to the rim of your new wheel and air it up to the pressure specified on the sidewall of the tire. Attach the wheel to you bike using the included axle bolts and take the wheel for a short test ride. When you return, put the wheel back in the truing stand or reattach the zip ties and check for straightness. Make any necessary adjustments using a spoke wrench and your wheel is ready to ride.