September 7, 2018 - Parts for wheel build for Big Dummy and LHT.

The plan early last year was to build a new standard front wheel for the Big Dummy so we can go back to a normal size when we go touring or on overnighters etc to take away some of the drag from running the fat tyre up front. I didn't want to just put an old 26 back on as I wanted to build one with a dynamo hub so we didn't have to always make sure we were carrying battery lights and we could charge the power box for the phone and camera etc.
So sometime around new year I bought a SP PD8 dyno hub and a pair of Ryde, formerly Rigida, Sputnik rims, 26' 36 hole heavy duty touring rims. I have known these rims over the years to be pretty solid, heavy duty rims that seem to be bomb proof. I suspect  the fact they weigh a fair bit is one of the reasons they are so tough.
I started thinking about building these again back at the start of summer but still I only pulled them out the loft this week and double checked the measurements so I could order some spokes. Not sure why it is taking forever to do but I do think it is because the Dummy runs fine as it is and we haven't been doing any distances on it lately that it seems there's no rush.
While I got a pair of rims I am only going to do the front for just now as I like the big Hookworm tyre on the back and running with slightly lower pressure makes for a more comfortable ride for Caleb. For this front I am hoping to put a Surly ET 2.5 tyre on.  While this hub is for disc brakes to suite the Dummy, the rims are also suitable for rim brakes which means I can use the dyno hub on the Long Haul Trucker as well, will be a big benefit on there for when I'm away for even a few days at a time.
So measurements done and hopefully order the front spokes in the morning. This should let me build them up in the next week or so. I have my standard Dummy forks hanging on the wall of the shed ready to just drop straight on so not a big job to swap it over at all.
Will post when there is more to show.

Jamie