Originally Posted by
operator
Completely and utterly false.
You are making the mistaken implication that just because your raidal wheels haven't broken that they are equivalent in strength to 1,2 or even 3 cross. No real mechanic would utter such a statement.
The primary reason wheels for rec riders are radially laced is for aesthetics.
Thats a pretty bold series of statements you are making.
You are incorrect in thinking that no "real" mechanic would claim this. My claims aren't merely based on my own experience with building and riding wheels. Other sources including many (indeed, the majority) of noteworthy wheelbuilders build radially laced wheels and find no problems with them. If radially laced front wheels (assuming no disk brake and properly built hub) are structurally more flawed than crossed spokes, please explain how and back it up with proof or data of some sort.
Nonetheless, you are right that aesthetics are a big factor for some people. However, it could be that the reason why many many front wheels are radially laced boils down to cost...they are easier and faster to build, and probably cheaper to manufacture.