Road Cycling - Bladed Spokes, more efficient?

I did a search on several different sub-forums and can't seem to find an answer to my questions, so maby you guys can help.

What opinions do you have on bladed spokes? Do you think they are more efficient than round spokes? Do you think they are just fufu or eye candy?

I'd say they definitely make a difference for me; at higher speeds, at least.

I believe that they're a benefit in the right circumstances, but not great for daily use.

but they'll chop carrots like nobody's business.

From FAQ on velomax web site:

Q. Why doesn't Velomax use bladed spokes?

"We carefully considered using bladed spokes, but decided against it. In wind tunnel tests, bladed (and ovalized - hereafter "profiled") spokes have proven to be very effective. The caveat here is that they show their greatest advantages vis-a-vis round spokes when the airflow is from straight ahead. As soon as you introduce even a small component of side wind (yaw angle as low as 2 degrees), the larger surface area of profiled spokes acts either as a lifting surface, or develops airflow separation (with related generation of vortices), or both. The bottom line - creation of lift cannot be accomplished without corresponding increases in drag.

Simply stated, a profiled spoke in a static or head-on air stream can be very effective. However, a profiled spoke in a side wind is a propeller.

A round spoke always presents the same small profile to the air stream, whether the angle of attack is head on or from the side. When you consider the wind direction, speed of the bicycle, and rotational speed of the wheel, it becomes apparent that there is an alphabet soup of aerodynamic considerations happening throughout the course of the ride. For this reason, we believe that swaged (butted) spokes present the best real-world aerodynamic profile."

They seem to be faster at speed (18+). Good in a headwind, and a little wobbly in a side breeze.

I had super light and small round spokes before, and they accelerated better. I think they climbed better, but I'm not a good enough climber to say either way, but the blades are heavier by a bit.

I think they look beeter, and the cool factor makes me push harder.

I remember reading somewhere the effects of various things on an hour ride. The biggest effect is the triathalon bar(s). Getting the rider down into an aerodynamic position is the single most important thing by a huge margin. Bladed spokes will have some effect - say 10 seconds in an hour time trial if you are going around 25 mph. At say, 20 mph, the wind resistance isn't great enough for the bladed spokes to make much difference. Also if you are in a group, you can forget about the aero stuff. It really is only for use in solo rides.

Any manufacture who doesnt use bladed spokes has wind tunnel tests showing they don't work.

Anyone who does use them, has wind tunnel tests showing they do work.

This whole industry is based on this marketing fluff, remember these same people have convinced us that its ok to pay $300.00 for plastic shoes.

When I had my Race Lites with the bladed spoke and hit a cross wind I would feel the bars give a tug. I "upgraded" to Open Pros with round spokes and no longer have a problem in cross winds.

I used to have gipiemme tecno 024's which use round spokes, i upgraded to ksyriums and took my first ride this year last week. when i would be riding no handed and a gust of wind came along it was quite a wake up. it was a very windy day though and the same may have happened to my gipiemme wheels.

I don't have any real basis for which to judge the efficiency of the bladed spokes on my Ksyriums so I would say they're probably just eye-candy for me but I like others do notice some considerable wind-effects in high crosswinds. It's not enough to throw me sideways or anything but it's not discountable either.

Harder to clean.

Don't forget that bladed spokes will allow you to run a much lower spoke count which WILL benefit your speed. I run a 16/20 setup, and it seems to work great.

Don't forget that bladed spokes will allow you to run a much lower spoke count

Is that really true? Is it because the greater cross-section of the spoke can take a higher load without buckling?

I think that statement about lower spoke count is not true.

Simple - bladed spokes look cooler.

55/Rad

You can tell when i ride by you?

remember these same people have convinced us that its ok to pay $300.00 for plastic shoes.


My shoes aren't plastic. They are super semi-elastic space age polymer. Well worth $300 when you say it like that. :D

My shoes aren't plastic. They are super semi-elastic space age polymer. Well worth $300 when you say it like that. :D

Speaking of $300.00 shoes. They're loud but cheap! (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=1234&sku=10389&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=)

just bought a pair... :D

You can tell when i ride by you?
Nah, but I can certainly tell after a ride when I'm sipping a cold one and staring at the bike. I don't think anybody would argue that how our rides look is of some importance.

My #2 bike has 2 sets of wheels - Mavic Open Pros and Neuvation M28 Aeros w/blades. I'm a decent rider but I don't think I'm nearly good enough to decipher the differences in the spokes. Overall weight, rolling speed and toughness yes, but spokes....no. However, it's very clear to me that aesthetically, the M28's are much more appealing.

55/Rad