Lacing An Electric Bike Wheel: A Step-By-Step Guide

Lacing an electric bike wheel is a valuable skill for any cyclist. It ensures stability and durability, and can add a personal touch to your ride. The most common method is the Basic Cross-Lace, which provides a strong and stable structure. However, there are several other ways to lace a wheel, including the single cross lace and radial lace. This article will focus on the single cross lace method for a 20” rim hub motor wheel.

Single cross lace

To lace a bike wheel, you will need a hub, rim, and set of spokes. The number of spokes and the lacing pattern will depend on the specific wheel and hub you are using. The Basic Cross-Lace is the most common and traditional method of lacing bike wheels. It provides a strong and stable structure, making it suitable for a wide range of cycling applications, from leisure riding to competitive racing.

Single cross lacing involves crossing the spokes over each other to create a pattern that evenly distributes tension across the wheel. Once the hub motor wheel is put in service, you will need to make some spoke adjustments in the first few hundred miles. Generally, a newly laced wheel will need some adjustments to the spoke tension after the first 50 miles or so. If the wheel makes a lot of creaky noises on the first ride, snug up every spoke ¼ turn and try again.

Radial lace

Radial lacing is not recommended for electric bike wheels as it can be problematic due to the higher frequency pulses of torque coming from each crank revolution. However, if you still want to radial lace your 20" electric bike wheel, you can follow these steps:

• Disassemble the motor with a bent rim.
• Replace the part with the magnets, spokes and rim with one from an identical brand motor.
• Once the hub motor wheel is in service, you will need to make some spoke adjustments in the first few hundred miles.
• Leave the zip tie in place for use later and rotate it out of the way.
• Rotate it back when you need to adjust the wheel.
• Generally, a newly laced wheel will need some adjustments to the spoke tension after the first 50 miles or so.
• If the wheel makes a lot of creaky noises on the first ride, snug up every spoke 1/4 turn and try again.

Adjusting spoke tension

Firstly, it's important to understand that the lacing technique you choose will impact the tension of your spokes. The Basic Cross-Lace is the most common and traditional method, providing a strong and stable structure suitable for various cycling applications. This technique involves crossing the spokes over each other to create a pattern that evenly distributes tension across the wheel.

When lacing a 20” rim, a radial lace is typically used. This type of lace is so simple that it needs no explanation. However, it's important to note that you may still need to adjust the spoke tension after the first 50 miles or so. If your wheel makes a lot of creaky noises on its first ride, try snugly tightening each spoke ¼ turn and testing it again.

To adjust the spoke tension, you can use a zip tie. Simply rotate it out of the way when not in use and rotate it back when you need to make adjustments. It's recommended to set the wheels just slightly on the loose side.

Remember, the number of spokes and the lacing pattern will depend on the specific wheel and hub you are using. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions or seek professional assistance if you're unsure about any adjustments.

Basic cross-lace

The Basic Cross-Lace is the most common and traditional method of lacing bike wheels. It provides a strong and stable structure, making it suitable for a wide range of cycling applications, from leisure riding to competitive racing. This lacing technique involves crossing the spokes over each other to create a pattern that evenly distributes tension across the wheel.

To start, you will need a hub, rim, and set of spokes. The number of spokes and the lacing pattern will depend on the specific wheel and hub you are using. For example, a single cross lace is typical for a 26” rim hub motor, while the smaller 20” rim is generally laced radially. A radial lace is so simple it needs no explanation.

Once you have laced your wheel, you will need to make some spoke adjustments in the first few hundred miles. Generally, a newly laced wheel will need some adjustments to the spoke tension after the first 50 miles or so. If the wheel makes a lot of creaky noises on the first ride, snug up every spoke ¼ turn and try again. Some people prefer to set their wheels just a little on the loose side.

Replacing parts

If you have a bent rim, you can disassemble the motor and replace the part with the magnets, spokes and rim with one from an identical brand motor. You can also buy a melted motor cheaply and use the parts.

The smaller 20” rim is generally laced radially. A radial lace is simple and requires no explanation. The Basic Cross-Lace is the most common and traditional method of lacing bike wheels. It provides a strong and stable structure, making it suitable for a wide range of cycling applications, from leisure riding to competitive racing.

This lacing technique involves crossing the spokes over each other to create a pattern that evenly distributes tension across the wheel. Prepare the wheel by starting with a hub, rim, and set of spokes. The number of spokes and the lacing pattern will depend on the specific wheel and hub you are using.

Once the hub motor wheel is put in service, you will need to make some spoke adjustments in the first few hundred miles. Generally, a newly laced wheel will need some adjustments to the spoke tension after the first 50 miles or so. If the wheel makes a lot of creaky noises on the first ride, snug up every spoke ¼ turn and try again.

Frequently asked questions