This page discusses various aspects about different lacing patterns, from standard to custom. It is divided into several chapters, each in a different window. Near the bottom of this page, and also at the bottom of the individual chapters, is a selection block that will let you go to a different chapter. Each chapter tries to cover specific information, but there are cases in which information in one chapter also applies to other chapters and/or different lacing patterns. Such as the REAR WHEEL FACTORS chapter has information that applies to front wheels, and the RADIAL LACING INFORMATION chapter has information that applies to cross lacing.
 
I put this page together to let others know the different geometry and spoke factors they will be dealing with when they are deciding what type of lacing to use for the wheel they want to build. If you wish to build a different or unusual wheel these chapters should give you all you need to know to develop such a lacing pattern. It is suggested that you read all of the different chapters, this might help you find something out that will apply to the wheel you are thinking about building, explain something that you've always wondered about, or just give you more general information about spoked wheels that you can use in the future.
 
The STRONG REAR WHEEL LACING chapter has information about lacing patterns for stronger rear wheels that I developed from a compilation of my wheel building experience, personal thoughts of how to build a stronger wheel, and idea's generated from information given to me from other users of this site. This resulted in the 2-cross/3-cross mixed lacing and the half Crow's Foot mixed lacing that are discussed in this chapter. If you are interested in making a very strong, reliable, and/or just a unique rear wheel, you must read this chapter. This chapter discusses the Crow's Foot lacing, so you should also read the CROW'S FOOT LACING chapter. throughout this page I use the term "mixed" to describe a wheel with different lacing patterns on each side of the wheel, and the term "mix" to describe a pattern with different length spokes on one side of the wheel.
 
Hopefully these ideas and information will give you a better understanding of the forces that a spoked wheel deals with, and allow you to build better wheels. Whether you are using a standard lacing pattern, one of the strong rear wheel patterns discussed in the STRONG REAR WHEEL LACING chapter, or a completely different lacing pattern you develop yourself. The neat thing about lacing your own wheels is you can do whatever you want, as long as it comes out round and true, can be used to brake the bike, and it can handle the drive torque transfer from the hub to rim efficiently if it's a rear wheel. If you have any questions or suggestions about anything in these chapters don't hesitate to let me know. My e-mail address is: spokeanwheel@yahoo.com.

You do not have to strictly abide by any of these suggestions. This is a compilation of my experience building wheels and wheel information I have gathered over the years. When you are going to build a wheel you can do just about anything you want, there are no absolute rules (other than what is discussed on the TRIG page). Just be careful not to build a wheel that might collapse under pressure. Some aspects of wheels that are not safe and things to avoid are discussed in the LACING PATTERNS THAT ARE DIFFICULT OR WOULD NOT WORK AND OTHER THINGS TO AVOID chapter.