spoke patterns and rims on a bent

[John Duval]

I faded out of cycling temporarily about the time when paired spoke patterns
made their appearance. Old school says that few spokes are bad news unless
you are a feather weight, but they seem quite popular on road bikes.

So is old school correct, or is there new technology that makes these OK? Do
the newer aero rim profiles make that much difference?

In spite of my size (6'-6" 200+ lb) and high mileage, I have never used
anything resembling a tandem wheel on my retired DF bikes, on or off road.
In fact, they would more accurately be described as "race day wheels" by
smaller riders than me.

On a DF I naturally used supplesse to spare my wheels, but not an option on
my Phantom II. Even the smooth clean roads I ride now have the occasional
pothole. The side loads are nothing (compared to DF anyway), the 20" wheel
is stronger (so I have read), the frame has lots of passive suspension, and
I am thinking of a Pantour up front too.

Given all this, the Phantom II comes with wheels suitable for a tandem for
elephants. Overkill by a big margin I think. But how far should I consider
going for better performance?

John

(remove 'spam' from my email address)

 

[Henry]

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Duval" <[email protected]>
Newsgroups: alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent
Sent: Saturday, May 01, 2004 3:10 PM
Subject: spoke patterns and rims on a bent


> I faded out of cycling temporarily about the time when paired spoke
patterns
> made their appearance. Old school says that few spokes are bad news unless
> you are a feather weight, but they seem quite popular on road bikes.
>
> So is old school correct, or is there new technology that makes these OK?
Do
> the newer aero rim profiles make that much difference?
>
(carved off with a dull knife)

They are OK for some folks. From an old school heavyweight (240#), like
myself, I'd say less spokes are an invitation to more trips to the shop.
However, carrying extra spokes and a wrench might be an option.

Henry

---- email address is non-functional. use my site's feedback form. ---

My homebuilt recumbent mountain bike:
http://comptune.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=214#214

 

[Christopher Jordan]

I like watching American Chopper (humor factor when it comes to warped
priorities) building rims; but why mess with a tried and true spoke
pattern?

Someday I will try a wild pattern of Mylar- covering the spokes- maybe
cut with a dull knife...

Chris Jordan
Santa Cruz, CA.

"Henry" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> ----- Original Message -----
> (carved off with a dull knife)
>
> They are OK for some folks. From an old school heavyweight (240#), like
> myself, I'd say less spokes are an invitation to more trips to the shop.
> However, carrying extra spokes and a wrench might be an option.
>
> Henry
>
> ---- email address is non-functional. use my site's feedback form. ---
>
> My homebuilt recumbent mountain bike:
> http://comptune.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=214#214

 

[Jeff Wills]

"John Duval" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I faded out of cycling temporarily about the time when paired spoke patterns
> made their appearance. Old school says that few spokes are bad news unless
> you are a feather weight, but they seem quite popular on road bikes.
>
> So is old school correct, or is there new technology that makes these OK? Do
> the newer aero rim profiles make that much difference?
>

You'll find that the rims on those minimal-spoke wheels are massively
heavy-duty. In general, the paired-spoke wheels are heavier than their
more conventional counterparts.

I've built wheels with rims that are 2/3 the weight of the the tall
paired-spoke-style rims (400 grams vs. 600 grams) and they've held up
great despite my being your size (I'm 6-foot-4, 220 pounds). A
36-spoke wheel built with a Sun M14A rim and double-butted spokes
should be lighter and more durable than a minimal-spoke wheel.

Jeff

 

[John Duval]

Good enough for me, but the choice of rims for 20" size (either) seems
pretty limited, so it may be a bit of a mute point. Narrow 26" are a little
better.

How about tire width vs rim width? any formula there? At the moment, my
stock rear tire looks like it belongs on a much narrower rim (the rim is
almost wider than the tire).


"Jeff Wills" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "John Duval" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> > I faded out of cycling temporarily about the time when paired spoke
patterns
> > made their appearance. Old school says that few spokes are bad news
unless
> > you are a feather weight, but they seem quite popular on road bikes.
> >
> > So is old school correct, or is there new technology that makes these
OK? Do
> > the newer aero rim profiles make that much difference?
> >
>
> You'll find that the rims on those minimal-spoke wheels are massively
> heavy-duty. In general, the paired-spoke wheels are heavier than their
> more conventional counterparts.
>
> I've built wheels with rims that are 2/3 the weight of the the tall
> paired-spoke-style rims (400 grams vs. 600 grams) and they've held up
> great despite my being your size (I'm 6-foot-4, 220 pounds). A
> 36-spoke wheel built with a Sun M14A rim and double-butted spokes
> should be lighter and more durable than a minimal-spoke wheel.
>
> Jeff