Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - spokes and lacing for fixed wheel

So I've got a dilemma. I'm planning to build a wheelset with a fixed rear hub. I already have a heap of 15 gauge spokes that would work for 3x or 3-leading/3-trailing lacing. But I think I'm in love with the idea of crow's foot lacing -- it's supposedly quite strong, and damn it looks nice. For the crow's foot lacing, I'd mostly be able to use the spokes I have, but would need to buy a few shorter spokes (unequal spoke lengths in that pattern).

Here's the point of all this: are 15 gauge spokes a bad idea? And are any of these lacing patterns a particularly good/bad idea, esp for the rear wheel where there's more stress? These wheels are for a commuter bike, and I'm only ~125 lb. If I need to suck it up and buy all 14 gauge or even butted spokes to make a decent wheel, I'll do so. But I like the whole idea of using what's available and free.

In case these lacing patterns aren't familiar:
http://www.terminalvelocity.demon.co.uk/WheelBuild/

If they were a bad idea they wouldn't make them.

Enjoy

not by any means an expert, but doesn't the hole size of the hub factor into gauge?

15 gauge spokes are fine for someone who is only 125 lbs. However, get a look at a crow's foot wheel in person before you build one. You can't really tell it's a different pattern unless you really look at it, and a friend who built one said it was a pain. If you want something special, do a 3L3T. However, find some other examples of how to do the interlacing besides the one on the page you linked. They lace them over and under a lot, which some people think is needed to even out the forces on the hub flange, and some don't. Doing it that way would make a broken spoke a real pain.

Thanks for the tip on the 3L3T lacing.

I'm a little concerned now with the 15 gauge fit in the hub -- I've read in a couple of places that they tend not to fit snugly (seems odd -- shouldn't the bend be adjusted to give a comparable fit to a 14 gauge?). This may be what papaloc was hinting at. At any rate, does anyone have experience with 15 gauge and whether they fit well enough? I could also invest in spoke washers to snug up the fit, but that seems pointless -- I can get a complete set of 14 gauge spokes for less than a bag of washers.

15 gauge spokes are fine for someone who is only 125 lbs.
Bollocks.


However, get a look at a crow's foot wheel in person before you build one. You can't really tell it's a different pattern unless you really look at it, and a friend who built one said it was a pain.
Agreed, and they are a pain.


If you want something special, do a 3L3T. However, find some other examples of how to do the interlacing besides the one on the page you linked. They lace them over and under a lot, which some people think is needed to even out the forces on the hub flange, and some don't. Doing it that way would make a broken spoke a real pain.

I have done several "laced" and have had no problems replacing spokes.

Enjoy

Bollocks.


What's your reasoning?

Bollocks.


Agreed, and they are a pain.



I have done several "laced" and have had no problems replacing spokes.

Enjoy


Beware of lacing all the spokes on a 3l3t pattern. I did that on both a used set of shimano HF hubs and a new set of Miche HF track hubs and in both cases, the hub went out of true ( it actually warped!)probably because of interlacing the spoke set closest to the hub flange=> very awkward spoke angle causing a stress riser.

What's your reasoning?
Response implies anyone over 125 needs heavier spokes.

Enjoy

Response implies anyone over 125 needs heavier spokes.

Enjoy

You'll make a great lawyer some day, son

Sounds good. I'll stick with the 15 ga, and see how the 3L3T lacing works out. I'll take care with the lacing, though maybe the lighter gauge spoke runs less risk of the stress problem mentioned by Batavus? At any rate, they're mid-priced hubs, so if they do warp in the long run, I won't be devastated.

15 gauge spokes(buttede 2mm-1.8mm) is as strong as the non butted spoke. You never see a spoke breake in the middle!

3L3F is a relativly strong build, and it looks cool.

I have experimented with some differetn kind of lacings.
These i just build for fun:
http://fixie-king.dk/Galleri/blandede_bolsjer/Jumbos_cykler.htm

If you look close, one of them is even 3L3T.
But for riding i wouldnt recommend those lacings, they make all sorts of craking noises even though the spokes are as tight as they can be.

those look pretty cool and organic, thats for sure Jumbo.