Wheel building question...

[tbushnel]

Does anyone know if there is an advantage to a 4 cross spoking pattern, with or without a double lacing, on a 32 hole wheel? Just trying to sift through some information that I have been given about wheel building.
Any thoughts or comments?
Cheers,
Ted.
:banana:

[bostondrunk]

Does anyone know if there is an advantage to a 4 cross spoking pattern, with or without a double lacing, on a 32 hole wheel? Just trying to sift through some information that I have been given about wheel building.
Any thoughts or comments?
Cheers,
Ted.
:banana:

No, just use a standard 3 (or even 2) cross build. Build them correctly and you will have no issues. Build'em wrong, and it won't matter what spoke pattern you have... :beer:

[ergott]

4 cross on a 32 spoke wheel can lead to spokes crossing over the heads of other spokes. The spokes will go beyond the optimum tangent so there is no benefit to be gained. 3 cross is the maximum recommended cross pattern for 32 spokes.

[tbushnel]

Thanks BD and Eric. I seem to recall the optimal 3X for 32 hole from previous threads here. Also, I have been reading (or trying... very technical) the Spoking Word which says the same thing basically.
Thanks,
Ted.

[Needs Help]

The maximum number of crossings can be found by dividing the number of spokes by 9.

"The Bicycle Wheel" (Jobst Brandt)

[Dekonick]

The maximum number of crossings can be found by dividing the number of spokes by 9.

"The Bicycle Wheel" (Jobst Brandt)


Great book.

[Jeremy]

The maximum number of crossings can be found by dividing the number of spokes by 9.

"The Bicycle Wheel" (Jobst Brandt)

This formula is generally good, but you still need to know how to round the result. For practical puposes you should round down, but this formula breaks down above 40 spokes.

A different formula is: (#spokes/8) - 1. All conventional cross patterned wheels must have a spoke count that is a multiple of 4. If you round up the result of the above formula, it will always produce the maximum number of crosses allowable for a given spoke count. If you round the result down, it gives the cross pattern that is the best balance between rotational (drive or brake) and lateral stiffness.

The optimal (tangent) angle that the posted drawing shows is only optimal for bearing drive (or brake) loads. The intended purpose of the wheel is also important in determining the optimal spoke angle. In general, radial lacing (no cross) is laterally stiffest yet rotationally (drive) weakest. Whereas tangential lacing is rotationally strongest, but laterally softest. So, any front wheel that does not have a hub brake (disc or drum) can be built safely with or without a cross pattern (as long as the hub is rated for radial lacing).

Any wheel bearing rotational load (drive or brake) needs a cross pattern, ideally one that positions the spokes tangent to the hub flange. But, only wheels with a spoke count that is a multiple of 8 can be built with a (virtual) tangent angle between the spoke and the hub flange. So, when building 20, 28, 36, etc... wheels, one has to choose between a spoke angle that is a little above or a little below, the tangent angle.

Jeremy

[tbushnel]

thanks Jeremy for the handy formula and other info too.
tEd.