Usually you have to buy the gearhub(1), a rim with the same number of holes as the hub, some spokes, then assemble the wheel yourself… which requires dexterity, experience, a tool to cut the spokes to the right size and thread them, and a tool to "re-camber" (slang) the spokes.
Good grief, does anyone still cut their own spokes?
I've built a couple of wheels but I've always just bought the right length.
There's no shortage of wheelbuilding services in Germany at least. Both discount suppliers where you can configure your wheels online for basically the cost of the parts, as well as more up-market shops that will do more exotic builds (and where you actually get to talk to the person who will build your wheel), at a price.
Someone also needs to get their fat ass onto it after first cleaning the wildlife and winter/workshop accumulated dust off it.
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SRAM 2 speed auto hub into a track cycle rim
bicycle must be French invention (as usual)
bicycle must be French invention (as usual)Like everything else,wasn't it the canny jocks who invented not only the first mechanically propelled bike, the rubber for the tyres and the tarmac roads to ride em on
Now discontinued unfortunately
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automatix (https://www.sheldonbrown.com/automatix.html)
automatix2-hack (https://bikesfornoreason.blogspot.com/2014/01/sram-automatix-2-speed-hack.html)
[...] they sell a rear wheel already assembled with a Shimano GearHub 3-speed and it has O.L.D.=127mm, so it's already compatible with every bycicle 8/9/10 speed frame! you just need a couple of shims, +1mm and +2mm, to put on the ends of the axle!
[...] But I love it! Want more services like this in Europe!!! :D
Complete off-the-shelf rear wheels with various hub styles are quite commonly available over here. I would guesstimate a dozen different German online shops, plus some Amazon and ebay sellers.
Can you list online German online shops so I can help my non-UK-based colleagues?
worse still when the wheel is for a track bike frame, or 80s titanium like my Speedwell Titalite (6 speed derailleur), with an O.L.N.=120mm, and you have to fit a 3-speed internal gear hub(1).
@beanflying
changed my mind, today I fully assembled a rear wheel using a RS-RF3 hub instead of the Nexus-INTER-3/SG-3C41.
It weighs less (900g!!!), and from road tests it offers less friction.
My definitive choice :D
I'm not a professional, from cutting the spokes, threading them, assembling a first draft of the wheel, and arriving at the finished and "camber-ed" wheel, it takes me almost 10 hours of work, considering 3 breaks, lunch, tea, dinner and short test on the road, so now for those of my colleagues who want to replicate the thing, I have to find an online service so I avoid spending my weekends assembling wheels for free!