Mike G. is building me some wheels today..Should I switch from 28 to 32?

[Wayne77]

Mike Garcia at Oddsandendos is building my wheels today. I went through the notorious hour-long conversation with him last week (He's a great guy!) and he said that at my weight (175), I could go wither way with a 28 spoke rear wheel or 32 spoke wheel. I went ahead with the 28 spoke rear just to save a little weight.

I recently read someone's opinion strongly in favor of a 32 spoke rear for guys at my weight. Do you think I will be OK with 28 or should I call Mike and have him go with 32 for the rear wheel? I don't race, just do the typical fast club rides and solo rides. These wheels will go on a new Serotta Concours.

The build is as follows:

DT RR1.1 rims, AE15 spokes front, AE15/XE14 rear, Speedcific hubs.
28 spoke radial laced Front
28 spoke rear, cross 2 non drive, cross 3 drive


Thanks!

[soulspinner]

I just went through the same thing and am lighter than you. I went with 240 DT hubs otherwise exact same build. GO 32! I have had to true my 28 three times and Mike has a reputation for building a great wheel. At 175 whats an ounce to get a stronger wheel? Mike told me mine would be fine and they are not. Three truings in less than 500 miles is not acceptable to me. Mike of course offered to pay for them or ship them and make them 100 percent but to me the point is they are not strong enough for big guys and/ or bad roads.

[e-RICHIE]

28

that's what sinatra would get, if he could get.

[Wayne77]

28

that's what sinatra would get, if he could get.

Of course, cuz he "did it his way" :D

e-Richie, was Sinatra a spinner or a masher? Was he a sprinter or a climber? Or was he just pack-fodder, looking for a decent everyday wheel wihtout UUUgly decals like myself? Inquiring minds need to know.

[Keith A]

How about 32 in the rear and 28 in the front? The front is almost never a problem with going out of true, so you could save a few grams here -- but I would stick with 32 in the rear to minimize the problems of this wheel going out of true.

[David Kirk]

I'm 180# and ride 28H front and rear on some very bad roads and have no trouble at all. 2X front 3X rear.

Dave

[Bradford]

The front is almost never a problem with going out of true, so you could save a few grams here -- .

Very true. I'm still using a front wheel on my touring bike that I bought in 1991. Two bikes, four real wheels, and many loaded and unloaded miles and it is still rolling. In that time, I've only popped one spoke on it, and that was under a heavy load. When I had my new touring bike built and mentioned using the same front wheel, the response was "go ahead, the front wheel is only a passenger anyway, it will hold up just fine." And it has

[quattro]

For the minor weight savings of having 28 spokes it simply is not worth it. I also went through the same 28/32 build questions when I was having Joe Young build my wheels (DT 240s hubs/ RR 1.1 rims /DT Sper Comp. spokes). From my perspective 32 spokes build a stronger wheel, I can deal with a few more grams for spokes.

[kidamaro]

I have been riding 24 in the front and 28 in the back for over a year now. 9000 miles, and my wheels are still true. I way 165.

[fiamme red]

Dan Connelly wrote some interesting posts on r.b.t.:

http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.bicycles.tech/msg/53ee9b0d35584ca6?hl=en
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.bicycles.tech/msg/01654e5b9c086bf7?hl=en

[Wayne77]

Well, after discussing this with the builder, it looks like the 32 spoke wheel gets the nod, Frank Sinatra's preferences notwithstanding.

I'm sure 28 would be adequate. However, even if it's for nothing more than peace of mind, I'm going with 32 on the rear wheel. -Just called M. Garcia and had him change the order.

Thanks all!

[redblack]

assuming a 28 spoke count wheel--
how does a person decide upon lacing
choices, 2 cross?, 3 cross, or 3 cross drive side
and 2 cross non drive?

[Keith A]

I've been using 2x in the front; 2x non-drive side, 3x drive side on the rear. I noticed this is the same spoking pattern that Excel Sports uses on their wheels as well.

[Kurt]

Well, after discussing this with the builder, it looks like the 32 spoke wheel gets the nod, Frank Sinatra's preferences notwithstanding.

I'm sure 28 would be adequate. However, even if it's for nothing more than peace of mind, I'm going with 32 on the rear wheel. -Just called M. Garcia and had him change the order.

Thanks all!

for a bullet proof wheel, 175 is not that light in the bike world (sorry) I am surprised that the word comfort did not come up - more holes = spread the load = comfort. get ready to love your wheels.