Road Cycling - wheel weight

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fergus4
03-18-04, 03:49 PM
You hear, all the time, riders talking about component weight, and specifically here -- wheel weight -- and how it possibly affects speed and performance. What about comfort? What in the make up of a wheel makes for the most comfortable ride? The width of the tire certainly. But what about one rim vs another? Double-butted spokes vs straight gauge? Certain lacing patterns? Anything else? Can anyone help?

dexmax
03-19-04, 07:35 AM
Well, weight can be a major factor.. I think it is in the wheel that weight is so critical/significant.

As to comfort, i think it will depend on the stiffness of the rim, and how it is done.. for built wheels, the skill of the wheel builder is critical to the durability as well as the performance of the wheel.

Double butted spokes increase the overall strength of the spoke by elliminating stress concentration along the edges, it also is lighter. Aero spokes, are more aerodynamic than round spokes.. I think that's the only advantage.

BTW here are the wheel specs on one of my rides...

front:
rims 520g (rigida)
spokes: 4.8g x 36 = 175g (DT swiss comp)
hub: 190g (XTR)
total: 885g

rear
rims: 520g (rigida)
spokes: 175g (DT swiss comp blk)
hub: 371g (XTR)
total: 1066g

TOTAL: 1951
deliriou5
03-19-04, 07:43 AM
double butted spokes will have a little more "give" to them than straight gauge spokes. but the best spokes are Ti spoke... I have a pair of Ti-spoked cane creeks.... the ride is super smooth!