Originally Posted by
Andrew R Stewart
I would think the spoke tension would have a FAR greater impact on wheel flexibility then spoke gage. And there's always tied and soldered, although that's more for keeping broken spokes out of harm's way then stiffness. Andy.
Spoke tension makes no difference untill it gets very low and spokes can go slack.
From Damon Rinard's measurements (
http://sheldonbrown.com/rinard/wheel/index.htm) of an MA2 rim with 32 spokes with the wheel horizontal, axle clamped in a milling vise and quill, and a 25.78 pound weight hung from the rim.
Stiffness comes from spoke count. spoke gauge (thinner spokes stretch more at a given tension), and rim construction with bracing angle having a small effect. There's a point where the wheel is stiffer and more not better.