Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Front Wheel Lacing

After popping yet another spoke on my two cross rear wheel last night, I am having a new wheel built for my track. Three cross for the rear is a no-brainer, but I was thinking I might have a new front wheel built as well. What do you use for lacing on your front wheels? I haven't had any problems with radial, but I haven't tried to do any skidding (mostly because I was worried about destroying the rear wheel) or shift my weight forward for any length of time. Should I go three cross for both front and rear or can I get away with two cross or even radial for the front?

I have a 36 hole (3 leading, 3 following pattern) on the rear and 20 hole (w/ radial blades) on the front. Both rims have a deep V x-section. I have had no problems at all. I am curious to know why you are losing spokes. (improper tension? old wheel?)

I have a 36 hole (3 leading, 3 following pattern) on the rear and 20 hole (w/ radial blades) on the front. Both rims have a deep V x-section. I have had no problems at all. I am curious to know why you are losing spokes. (improper tension? old wheel?)

I don't know. I assumed the wheel wasn't strong enough for the abuse I was putting it through. These are stock Fuji Track Pro wheels.

3x. Function before fashion.

Although, I've had radial on my fixie conversion pretty much since I did it and haven't had any problems. I weigh about 185. comes down to the wheelbuilder a lot of the time, moreso than the lacing pattern. At least on a front wheel. I'd think anything but your chosen 3x on the rear would be asking for a major problem.

Hey Impreza/anyone else-
si there a street benefit to radial? My impression was visually appealing, but not as torsionally strong? Edumacate me as I am getting a new front wheel built (or maybe building it myself...)
thx

You can't put spokecards in radially laced wheels :o

Other than fashion, I don't think there is a benefit to a radial front. I've had radial fronts and 3x fronts (both 32 and 36 hole), no build related problems with either. If you like the way it looks, I say go for it.

Here's what businesscycles.com thinks, not particular to street track, but:
Radial Lacing - A (mostly) harmless affectation on front wheels. Although it doesn't happen often, if the flange breaks on a hub that bears evidence of radial lacing, you're on your own as far as many manufacturers' warranties are concerned. Despite popular belief to the contrary, radial lacing is not more aerodynamic than crossed patterns. To prevent excessive loading at the elbow of the spoke, I normally lace radial wheels "spoke head out". I won't waste much time in the shop (or on the phone) trying to talk you out of radially laced front wheels - just know that it won't change your order of finish one way or the other and may be counterproductive in some situations.

Older Campy high flange hubs tend to crack if you lace radial.
If you have high flanges i was told that the wheel actually will be stronger if you lace 2x, because this gives the best angle of the spoke between hub and rim. If you take a look at most older trackbikes, they are laced 2x.
With that said, i still build my wheels 3x.

my rear wheel is 32 hole 2x, but i'm a 98lb weakling.