Originally Posted by
SweetLou
It won't do anything for lateral strength, it will affect lateral stiffness. But lateral strength and stiffness is not really an issue with bicycle wheels. Radial strength and stiffness is much more needed than lateral. Except for trick riding where lateral forces can be greater. For normal road riding, the lateral strength and stiffness of a normally laced wheel is plenty.
I thought the rear wheel needs more lateral strength than the front to counteract the torque of the drive train, thats why you seldom see radially spoked rear wheels(unless of a very deep V design). As for the cross spoking, wouldn't that load up the spoke more at the flange(where most breaks occur) because of the increased angle of the spoke head at the flange. Always looking for enlightenment, thanks, Brian