Originally Posted by
Charles Wahl
The reason for larger diameter flange on the drive side is (I believe) that it makes the angle of spoke greater on drive side, thus reducing the tension necessary. This is why I don't understand putting the large flange on the non-drive side, which makes the differential in drive and non-drive spoke angles greater, not less.
However, I trust that Phil Wood did not do it just because it looks kewl.
I thought about that. Nds spoke angle is greater with the large flange, and its already greater than the ds spoke angle in the first place.
But then I thought about how you'd stand on stairs. I always think of a guy standing when I think about spoke angles. Anyhow, I'd rather have better spoke tension on the nds than a better spoke angle on the ds. I know its a give and take, and there are benefits and flaws to each method, but it seems nds spoke tension is the priority. Maybe coupled with an o/c rim some of the drive side angle can be resolved, and you have the strongest rear wheel you can build.