Bicycle Mechanics - Question about 3 cross lacing pattern

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Lambo
02-11-08, 06:20 PM
I bought a new pair of wheels (36h mavics) recently that are said to be laced in a 3 cross pattern. A spoke doesn 't necessarily cross 3 spokes on the same side of the wheel, though, right?
It can cross two on say, the drive side, and one on the nondrive side and be considered 3 cross, right?

Thanks! and sorry for such a newbie question

FlatFender
02-11-08, 06:25 PM
no, 3 cross crosses 3 spokes on the same flange. Are you not counting where they cross way down near the flange?
Lambo
02-12-08, 07:39 AM
I'll have to take a closer look in some good light tonight.
It might be crossing another spoke right at the flange that I'm overlooking.
I hope not. I don't want to have to send the wheels back.
I want to ride.

Lambo

waterrockets
02-12-08, 08:02 AM
Sometimes rears have a different number crossings on the drive side and non-drive side for various reasons (that's another thread). I recently built a wheel with 1x DS and 3x NDS, for instance.
tellyho
02-12-08, 11:07 AM
You are probably forgetting the cross at the flange.
superdex
02-12-08, 11:09 AM
Why would you send them back?
Scooper
02-12-08, 03:09 PM
It's easy to miss the cross at the flange when counting the crosses.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/Wheels/3-Cross_sm.jpg
tellyho
02-12-08, 07:50 PM
Ah, much better than my lazy-ass answer.
Coyote2
02-13-08, 07:28 AM
I'll have to take a closer look in some good light tonight.
It might be crossing another spoke right at the flange that I'm overlooking.
I hope not. I don't want to have to send the wheels back.I want to ride.

Lambo

If it's a 36h wheel, you WANT it laced 3x.
HillRider
02-13-08, 07:34 AM
Excellent illustration and much better than any written explanation.

I agree with the recommendation that any 36H wheel be laced 3X. There is no point to saving a trivial amount of weight or minor aerodynamic improvements with a utilitarian wheel.
Lambo
02-13-08, 01:04 PM
thanks for the illustration, Scooper.
It confirms that yes, I do have 3x 36h wheels.
Which are a good thing because I am big. And commute with a load.
And don't like having to get wheels trued every couple of weeks.

So these new wheels will do the trick.

Thanks all.