Yes. I've almost destroyed a wheel just messing with the tension in my spokes before, and the consequences a poor wheel build could be a wheelCHAIR. Zing...

That said, everybody is a beginner at some point. So if you have the time before you really need the wheel then give this a read and start the journey:

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

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Too old to go pro but doing it anyway
http://instagram.com/tgarvey4

No, not that difficult .Get the rims, go to bikehubstore.com and order spokes and hubs, throw on a truing stand with a good spoke wrench and get going.

Helpful to check out some vids or guides for spoke lacing and tension and the such. May take a few tries to get right.

Definitely not a "wheelchair/death" activity as described above. Bit too much hyperbole.

I'm going to offer my own 2 cents and experience here. My first wheel build was a set of Zipp 404 tubulars on a PT hub about 10 years ago. I used a Spin Doctor truing stand with a spoke wrench and bladed spoke holder. I can't remember if I had a Park Tool spoke tension meter at that point or not.

For my first builds, I used Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance, as well the Art of Wheelbuilding. From there, I just kept progressing and can't count how many wheels I've built (or rebuilt) to date now. I HIGHLY recommend building a standard old stet of alloy wheels or buying a cheap set off Craigslist and rebuilding them for practice. You can jump into carbon world right away, but I wish I had started with alloy first.

And my final advice, avoid internal nipples at all cost!

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"Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamps"
Blog = http://extrememomentum.com|Photos = http://wheelgoodphotos.com

I would recommend the Bill Mould DVD. You can re-watch the video and build your wheel at the same time.

http://billmouldwheels.com/...er-wheel-building-1/

allenpg is about the only reasonable response so far. I feel like it's something where you learn more and more by doing. The Sheldon Brown link is confusing for somebody who will likely be doing something along the lines 20-24 spokes per wheel. 16:8 rear is cool too.

allenpg's two resources are decent recommendations. I think Roger Musson's "Professional Guide to Wheel Building" is really good.

It's also easier building a sturdy wheel and rims. A true race wheel (light rim and light spokes) would be a difficult first build. A good spoke wrench is cheap and something you should already own. A good stand, dishing tool and tension meter will run about as much as a wheelset.

I'm very mechanically inclined and have done a couple sets, but a full build I always have somebody else do.

It's not that hard. I built my first set of wheels with flo60 carbon clincher rims 20/24 holes, WI T11 hubs, Cx-ray spokes, and brass nipples. I got everything from bikehubstore except the rims which were from flo. I purchased a park tool truing stand off craigslist and already had a spoke wrench. I also purchased a park tool tension meter which was useful although plenty of people swear by the 'pluck' method of checking tension so it certainly isn't required.

For instruction, Roger Musson's ebook was invaluable for around $12 I think and includes lifetime updates. I also got a lot of good pointers from this website: http://miketechinfo.com/...ech-wheels-tires.htm. I read through the previous two items probably 2 or 3 times, made sure I was well organized, and took my time during the build. It turned out great and hasn't needed any adjustments in about 2000 miles so far.

I'm going to chime in again based on other's comments. I agree that Roger Musson's book is great (I have a copy and still use it for tips). If you have the money and think you'll want to build wheels in the future, purchasing a used (or new) Park Tool stand is a worthwhile investment. I forgot to mention the dishing tool before. BHS is also where I get my hubs and spokes. Dang, I guess a lot of us think alike here...;)

The key to wheelbuilding is trial and error, and finding a method that works for you. I can't explain it, but what I do works for me. My wheels usually come out 90% of where I want them before final tuning. This has come from lots of experience. Since I'm not a pro (aka, working at a bike shop), I can take as much time as I want. Remember, this is an art form with a little science thrown in. The most important thing is to have fun and expect some frustration. Otherwise, live it up to someone else!

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"Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamps"
Blog = http://extrememomentum.com|Photos = http://wheelgoodphotos.com

Wheel building is a craft, not an art. Anyone can do it. Just requires patience and some sense. Most important thing is to select the correct rim, hub and spokes that match the riders characteristics. Then be careful on the build and take your time. It might take me 2-4 hours to build a wheel, where a pro might take 40 mins, but I can get even tension and dish and true it to just as good a tolerance as any pro and better than any machine-built.

I echo doing an old school, 32 spoke aluminum rim the first time. I used to build a lot of wheels. Then I quit drinking. When I quit drinking I retired from wheelbuilding because, as someone pointed out, the trial & error is tedious & time consuming. At least a 12-pack worth of work.

I don't think you will ever save money building your own wheels, but I really quite like building my own wheels, and have done quite a few sets. It is quite satisfying riding something totally unique.

The main thing is making sure you measure your hubs and erd correctly so the spokes are the correct length. After that it's just patience.

I would also recommend the e book by Roger Musson.