Originally Posted by timcupery
Okay, so there's been a few discussions about half-radial rear wheels (where the non-drive-side [left] spokes are laced radially, whereas the drive-side [right] spokes are the normal cross pattern)....
One of the major problems with radial spoking is that the spokes pull directly away from the spoke flange, and can more easily tear out of the flange than with tangential spoking, because with tangential spoking there's a lot more aluminum resisting the pull of the spoke on the flange hole. For this reason, radial spoking voids the warranty of a lot of Shimano hubs (although Shimano makes some hubs that are warranted for radial spoking, with somewhat altered design).
Radial spoking the non-drive-side of a rear wheel would technically void the warranty of most Shimano hubs, but should not be a practical danger because non-drive-side [left] spokes of dished rear wheels are significantly lower tension than drive-side [right] spokes.
Bingo! This is a non-issue because the tension on the left side spokes is so low on a derailer type rear wheel.
Sheldon "Imaginary Problem" Brown
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