Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Selecting wheels / spoke #

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x1124x
06-28-11, 07:38 PM
What will a higher spoke count do for me?
36 vs 48?
Stronger?
Heavier?

I'm 6' 200# using my single speed for casual riding / exercise.

Will I even notice a difference for what I'm using it for?

TejanoTrackie
06-28-11, 07:46 PM
36 is plenty for you and then some. 48 is total overkill and is usually reserved for tandems or really hard tricking.
x1124x
06-28-11, 08:02 PM
Thanks Tejano.

I thought that might be the case, but am still a newbie and wanted a knowledgeable opinion.

Scrodzilla
06-28-11, 08:40 PM
A properly-built/tensioned 32 or 36h wheelset will be perfectly alright and - as TT said - more than enough. I'm around 200 lbs myself and am never concerned with ever needing wheels with more spokes than that.
tFUnK
06-29-11, 02:33 AM
With the right build you can go 24f/28r.
mihlbach
06-29-11, 07:01 AM
With the right build you can go 24f/28r.

Or even 20f/24r if you really know what you are doing. Spoke count is less important than getting the wheel built properly.
yummygooey
06-29-11, 07:03 AM
mihlbach loves his low spoke counts!

48 spokes is a ridiculous amount of spokes. I would go with 32 max if you're just doing casual riding over decent roads.
carleton
06-29-11, 07:46 AM
+1 to all of the opinions above.

At 250lbs, I rode 20 spokes front and rear (Mavic Ellipse) through Baltimore just fine.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4546861518_1b421b1816_z.jpg