Alt Bike Culture - Hub Question

I'm looking to use a Nexus 7 or 8 rear and a Sachs front drum on a project and I'm wondering: is there enough meat on the flanges to drill another 18 holes per side? I'm trying to avoid the 'same 'ol wheel' look without spending $1,000 on a set of aluminum wheels. I would also like to avoid faceplanting when the front wheel comes apart. I've also considered alternate spoke patterns, such as Crow's Foot or 3 Leading / 3 Trailing, and would like to combine these with a high spoke count. Comments? Questions? Thanks!

I wouldn't drill out the flanges.. The tolerances are really close, and there isn't really space for a safe drill, not to mention the stress problems your drill press would create because it wouldn't be a perfectly smooth hole.

I'd look into other things, like the alternate lacing patterns, to create a different look. Three leading three trailing is almost as strong as 3x, and just as easy to make.

peace,
sam

Thanks for the reply. I was also considering machining a bolt-on flange, but that would by WAY too much aggrivation. Current plans involve Surly Large Marge XC rims and Endomorph 3.7 tires, laced 3 leading / 3 trailing, on a Firebikes XBR / Silva Bouncer combo.

Those are some crazy friggen tires, those endomorphs. :)

Make sure your frame and fork have enough clearance for those beasts, and then post pictures. :)

peace,
sam

First, Ive gotta make sure my wallet has the clearance!

Talk to Mike (?) at LoFi Customs in San Francisco: http://www.loficustoms.com/

He has been drilling those hubs for a while and swears that they can hold up to the additional holes drilled in them. He showed me some hubs that were designed for 72 spokes and they look no different than the hubs that he drilled out. Plus, you're not going to do any "extreme" riding with 72 spoke wheels anyways...

The other thing you could do is that insane Snowflake lacing pattern that people did on their road bikes in the 90's. I've never full understood how it could possibly work, but there you go. Something like what you see here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7173151236&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Talk to Mike (?) at LoFi Customs in San Francisco: http://www.loficustoms.com/

He has been drilling those hubs for a while and swears that they can hold up to the additional holes drilled in them. He showed me some hubs that were designed for 72 spokes and they look no different than the hubs that he drilled out. Plus, you're not going to do any "extreme" riding with 72 spoke wheels anyways...


Yeah it's Mike. A great guy to deal with! He supplied the front end on the bike I posted in the "Pictures" thread.