Bicycle Mechanics - Wheel building question - 16" wheels

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SesameCrunch
04-07-08, 02:46 PM
I'm looking to build up a set of 16" (349mm) wheels for a restoration project. It'll be my first build.

I'm thinking I don't need 36 spokes or 32 spokes for such a small wheel on a cruiser bike (3 spd Sturmey Archer).

Do you experts think I can get a 32 hole hub and just lace up 16 spokes? I like the minimalist look - that's my only reason for asking. I currently have a 20" wheel that is 16 spokes and it rides fine. I weigh 190lbs and don't jump off cliffs or anything.

What's the prevailing thinking on this? Thanks.

phidauex
04-07-08, 03:04 PM
A smaller wheel will still have the same amount of stress per spoke nipple as a larger wheel. Hence, I would still build it up with the full number of spokes. It would probably work for a little while with just 16 spokes, but it would likely fail on one of the eyelets in relatively short order.

Spokes aren't a great place to save a few bucks, they are kind of important. ;)

-Sam
dabac
04-08-08, 08:07 AM
I'm looking to build up a set of 16" (349mm) wheels for a restoration project. It'll be my first build.

I'm thinking I don't need 36 spokes or 32 spokes for such a small wheel on a cruiser bike (3 spd Sturmey Archer).

Do you experts think I can get a 32 hole hub and just lace up 16 spokes? I like the minimalist look - that's my only reason for asking. I currently have a 20" wheel that is 16 spokes and it rides fine. I weigh 190lbs and don't jump off cliffs or anything.

What's the prevailing thinking on this? Thanks.

If it's your first build there's another reason not to skimp on the spoke count, as low spoke count wheels are more temperamental to true than wheels with higher spoke counts. And 16 is a very low number, regardless of wheel diameter.
But if you're building on S-A and 16" rim you need to go easy on the crosses. If you were to build that one up in 3X you'd get a really funky angle down by where the nipple is seated in the rim. I'd have to draw it out to decide, but I'd seriously consider 1X if I was doing it.