Tom Adams writes: I also see Steve puts all spokes in the hub before starting to lace. Never would have thought of that. Advantages, anyone??
My reply: In 1966 when I started at J. M. Hearns in Asheville, NC, the veteran mechanics there taught me the old one-at-a time twist the hub method. Shortly thereafter, I went to the Schwinn service school and was taught the method of inserting all spokes in the hub at one time and I use this method to this day. Advantages: Hard to make a crossing mistake as it is easy to recognize early on. Also, you can lay down a partially completed wheel and come back even days later to instantly recognize where you left off. This was particularly valuable in a small shop where the mechanic also answered the phone and sold bikes and components. Disadvantages: You have to be VERY careful with all those yet-to-be capped spoke threads as you are working so not to scratch the rim. Regards, John Wilson Greensburg, PA USA (where our 2 plus feet of snow is probably about the same as Asheville)