Originally Posted by
joejack951
Not sure where you got this from but it's wrong...
I'd put it down as being simplified rather than wrong.
Originally Posted by
joejack951
..The upper spokes are most certainly affected by the load...
Indeed they are, but the increase that they see in load is much less than the decrease in load seen by the spokes immediately below the hub. The difference is so big in comparison that one can argue that the load increase for the upper spokes aren't significant. (for a given wheel configuration of course.)
Originally Posted by
joejack951
.... You'd have to stretch the upper spokes quite a bit to get the lower spokes to become completely loose...
If starting from an otherwise sensibly configured and decently built wheel.