Single wall rim to double wall rim spokes

[Couch tater]

I've been eyeballing a bike on the local Craigslist that needs some love. It's a 26" Schwinn and the rims are pretty rusty. I've never built a wheel but I do have a truing stand and spoke wrenches for maintenance. So, if I wanted to go from the single wall stock rim to something like a Rhyno Lite, would the stock spoke length be OK? If I go for it, I plan on using the zip tie the wheels together and swap straight across technique.

 

[Karate Chicken Industries]

Probably not, but with proper measurements of the hub and ERD of the rim, this (or any spoke calculator) would tell you:

https://www.wheelpro.co.uk/spokecalc/
Saint Sheldon has some good words on the subject, as he does with many things bicycle:

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

 

[Indyjps]

https://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=47611
Read this. Very good tutorial, the first one that made sense to me and how I learned to lace wheels.

I'd get new spokes and nipples if I bought new rims.

Best part is youll be able to get rid of the goofy schwinn size rims that limit your tire choices. That alone is worth learning to build wheels.

If youre just wanting better looking rims and get to standard rim sizes, grab any crappy dept store bike with aluminum rims and lace them up, or just swap wheels.

If you get new spokes, check here first @bmxguru.com Great selection and price on many things, love this site.
https://www.bmxguru.com/collections/spokes-stainless-steel