Originally Posted by
SesameCrunch
I think this group has the most experience with small wheels, so I ask it here.
Do we really need 32 or 36 spokes on the smaller wheels we ride? Doesn't the smaller diameter result in less stress on the spokes?
I'm thinking of building up my own 349 mm wheels, but am considering just using 18 or 16 spokes. I like the minimalist, cleaner look. Is that silly?
Hey SC,
I usually try to keep the spoke to rim size ratio the same. For instance, on the commuter I have a 36 spoke wheel on the rear. So when going to an ERTO 406 wheel, I would solve the following: x/406 = 36/622 to get x ~ 24. Of course, a constraint is the number of holes on hubs and/or rims. You can, obviously, do a 36-hole hub to a 36-hole rim, only using every other hole to get 18 for a 349 wheel.
The boss' Bike Friday has a 36 hole hub laced to a 24 hole rim. I recall that I posted some pictures in the past. I can take more and send them to you if you wish.
-IH