Quote:
Originally Posted by tombtfslpk
Wire tension wheels are stiff vertically......from the hub up, where they are in tension. From the hub down, the spokes are under compression. Rim integrity matters there.
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In a word, no. As long as the spokes stay in net tension (do not completely detension), they are just as stiff to compressive forces as they are to extensive forces. The main influence of rim stiffness is in determining how the load is distributed amongst the spokes at bottom - the stiffer the rim, the more spokes there will be taking the load, and the lower the stress in individual spokes. Theoretically, the more spokes taking the load, the stiffer the wheel will be, but even a single spoke has a stiffness of 5,000 - 10,000 lb/in, so the net stiffness of a wheel is typically 15,000 - 30,000 lb/in. Or in other words, for purposes of vertical compliance, the wheel is essentially perfectly rigid.