How to lace MTB wheels?

This operation, which is quite delicate, requires patience and great meticulousness. Here are all the steps to follow to lace your MTB wheels and achieve a successful build!

Time: 3h00
Level: Very difficult
Tools: Spoke wrench | Flat-head screwdriver | Wheel truing stand | Tension meter

Steps

Lay the MTB rim flat in front of you with the valve hole facing you, and identify the drillings intended for the left cross pattern and the right one. Pay close attention: the first spoke is the one that will guide the entire build, so it is essential to position it correctly.

Insert the first spoke into the MTB hub flange from the outside inwards (so the head ends up on the outside).
Insert the spoke into the rim in the first hole to the left of the valve and screw a spoke nipple on a few turns to hold it in place. Make sure this hole is drilled on the side of the rim from which the spoke arrives.
Insert the second spoke into the flange one hole to the right of the first, again from outside to inside.
Insert the second spoke into the rim three holes to the right of the first, again with a nipple screwed on a few turns; then repeat steps 3 and 4 to complete the first cross pattern.
Turn the wheel over to carry out the second cross pattern on the other side.
Insert the first spoke of the second cross pattern into the hub flange in the first hole to the right of the first spoke of the first cross pattern, again from the outside inwards.
Insert the spoke into the rim in the first hole to the right of the first spoke of the first cross pattern.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 to complete the second cross pattern.
Keep the wheel with the second cross pattern facing you, then to position the hub, hold the rim and rotate the hub clockwise.
Turn the wheel over to have the first cross pattern facing you.
Insert a spoke into the flange but this time from the inside outwards (so the head ends up on the inside).
Tilt it to the left, passing in order over two spokes of the same cross pattern, then under one spoke still from the same cross pattern.
Then insert this spoke into the rim in the first free hole to the left of the third crossed spoke.
Repeat steps 11 and 12 to complete the third cross pattern and therefore this side of the wheel.
Turn the wheel over and repeat steps 11 and 12 to carry out the fourth cross pattern and thus finish lacing your wheel.
Begin tensioning the spokes evenly, making sure the rim is well centred on your frame. All that remains is to true the MTB wheels to complete the build.