ookiihito

Hi,

I am contemplating a build and I want to start with Sturmey Archer's XL RD5 outback and the XL FD up front. However, these hubs only accept 13g and 14g spokes. At 260 lbs., will the 13g spokes be strong enough?

Thanks!

Barry in GA

Assuming that you are talking about U.S./British spoke sizes:

13 gauge = 2.3 mm

14 gauge = 2.0 mm

15 gauge = 1.8 mm

16 gauge = 1.6 mm

In other words, 13 gauge is the biggest / strongest.

At 260 lbs., 36 spokes would be a good idea.

mkadam68

36 hole at 13g would be a little overkill, depending on your builder. I ride 32-hole, 14g all the time and am right at the same weight. And, the skill of the builder will have more to do with the overall strength of the wheel.

Dan Burkhart 

The hole drillings in Sturmey Archer hubs very comfortably accept a 13g elbow, and a 14g is a bit of a sloppy fit. That said, I have several Sturmey hubs laced with 14g, and never broken a spoke. I'm about 15 lb lighter than you.
The last build I did, just a few weeks ago was a 5 speed SA using butted 13/14g Sapims. I just like the nice snug fit of the spoke elbow in the hole. That wheel is bomb proof.

ookiihito

What rims did you use? I am building a modern retro cruiser. I plan to use a Schwinn post-war straight bar frame so I'll be using some sort of ballooner 26 inch rim like a Worksman or Schwinn S2. Any recommendations on a modern ballooner style rim?

Thanks!

nfmisso

Wheelsmith DH13 are an incredibly strong spoke; but unless you are doing some serious drops SS14 x 36 will be plenty strong enough. My commuter has a mid '80's 40 spoke rear wheel with 14g spokes that I purchase a year ago - 4,000 miles (can't ride my bike when I am on a business trip to China ) no issues. My SR Sierra has 36 Wheelsmith SS14 spokes in each wheel - no issues. I am about 330 lbs.

Mr. Beanz

32 hole? What wheels are you riding now? I've seen you post several wheel threads over the last couple of years.