Originally Posted by
Psimet2001
Increasing the "x" increases, albeit slightly, the lateral stiffness of the system. Radial isn't really all that stiff. The bracing angle has little to no change - sure you get every other spoke on the opposite side of the flange but they still cross - making the average bracing angle roughly half the difference between heads in and heads out. In this case he'd be increasing his bracing angle.
Data shows the increase in stiffness with the higher "x" lacing, but that is still relatively small. Even on my high end builds I never build for a sprinter by using radial lacing in the front. Always 2X minimum. The feedback is as it should be as a result.
Im struggling to see why higher x gets more stiffness.
Ive just looked at a 3D CAD drawing of my wheels using CK hub and RR440 rims (i know thats not what was mentioned earlier but you seem to be talking in general so it should still apply) I
For my wheels going from radial heads out, to 2x, the bracing width increases about 1.6mm per side at the centreline of where the spokes cross and spoke length increases approx 10mm (you need to buy new spokes)
In contrast, going with the approach mentioned earlier of relacing heads in, for my wheels, bracing width increases about 4mm and spoke length remains the same. Adding the benefit of not needing new spokes.
So on the face of it, to stiffen a wheel laced radial heads out, you would be better to rebuild heads in to increase stiffness than going 2x with new spokes.
What am i missing?