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Old 10-05-12 | 05:32 PM
  #25  
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old's'cool
curmudgineer
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,417
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From: Chicago SW burbs

Bikes: 2 many 2 fit here

Speaking technically, I agree with Sheldon. To understand questions like this, it can be helpful as a thought experiment to take things to the extreme. To whit, ponder "maximum flange". The hub is so large that it is integrated with the rim, there are no spokes. Very stiff indeed, strong too, maybe a mite heavy.
On the other hand, ponder "zero flange". I.e., by some miracle of packaging, the spokes all are attached at the centreline of the axle. No spokes cross any other spokes, since they only meet at the very centre of the wheel, in other words, all the spokes are necessarily radial. Such a wheel can sustain absolutely zero torsional force, since the hub will simply spin on the spokes, assuming the spokes connect to the hub in the manner that we are used to. Remember, this is a thought experiment, not a wheel that you can physically design and build, using any realistic components.
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