Originally Posted by
dogsridewith
3 cross is plenty enough angle to handle the torque
What is claimed reason for four cross? Slightly softer ride due to longer spokes?
One person somewhere once claimed 4-cross made a wheel prone to taco. (Rim distorts to a Pringle's potato chip shape without provocation such as a crash.)
someone must have been talking out of their ass.
the only reason why you'd want to avoid 4x on a 36h is when the spokes cross over the spoke heads causing increased stress, which speeds up metal fatigue in the spokes.
the number of crossings possible is totally dependant on the amount of spokes and distance between flange and rim. for 700c wheels, it's generally 1x 16h, 2x 20/24/28h, 3x 28/32/36h, 4x 36/40/48h
as for exotic patterns
3-trailing/3-leading or
crow's foot are also exotic.
you don't want radial if the hub isn't built for it. radial for high flange and/or forged hubs only.