Buncha Carbon Fiber Suckers....

mrowkoob · #76 12-22.-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikeguy

You've got a point about the rim depth - the longer the spokes I guess
the more flex and even though the Zipp only has 18 spokes they are very tight and the wheel is stiff, but when I was riding with a standard rim depth alu wheel the front carbon fiber fork still transmits shock much more than the other bikes I've ridden with alu front forks. Not that it really matters, you do get used to the extra vibration. It just seems like carbon is way "harder" than alu, I feel like I'm rolling on round rock wheels and fork, which is fine if the road is smooth.

Mountainbiking with carbon fiber? --- OW! No way!

-Bikeguy

Be aware of the fact that a low count spoked wheel (for example 18 spokes) is a lot less shock absorbant than a regular 32 spoke training wheel, the spokes act as the wheels shock absorbers. So a low spoked carbon wheel is less shock resistant than a multispoked aluminium wheel. Also unless the carbon wheel is made with shockabsorbation in mind there is no guarantee that it´s more absorbing than any other wheel out there. Primarily wheels are made to be as stiff as possible. Carbon frames can be made with shock absorbtion in mind but several are made to be as stiff and light as possible disregarding comfort.

mitosis · #77 12-22.-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrowkoob

Be aware of the fact that a low count spoked wheel (for example 18 spokes) is a lot less shock absorbant than a regular 32 spoke training wheel, the spokes act as the wheels shock absorbers.

Spokes act as shock aborbers? I'm not sure an engineer would agree with you.

mrowkoob · #78 12-22.-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitosis

Spokes act as shock aborbers? I'm not sure an engineer would agree with you.

Dampening would be the correct term, read up on it you´ll se

artmichalek · #79 12-22.-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrowkoob

Dampening would be the correct term, read up on it you´ll se

Dampening isn't the right word. Damping isn't right in this case either. No energy is actually being absorbed. Your assessment of high and low spoke count wheels is right, but for the wrong reasons. On a 32 spoke wheel, you can make the rim light and flexible because the spokes support it evenly. Throw in tangential lacing and you get a wheel with a lot of radial compliance. Drop the spoke count and go to radial lacing, and the rim has to be a lot stiffer to be able to bridge the increased gap between the spokes. This is what makes for a less forgiving wheel.

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