4x 32H wheel lacing
 

I'd love to search, but 4x isn't much of a search term.

Any word on why everyone uses 3x? If I want to go 4x (because I have spokes that work for that length), is there any mechanical reason I shouldn't.

FYI the build is a velocity aerohead w/ a powertap hub. DT 299mm spokes (more or less)

No real mechanical reason, it just isn't necessary, wheel-strength wise. More crossings = more potential spoke rub, I suppose. With stiff rims and beefy enough hub flanges these days, 4x is pretty obsolete. I'm sure someone else who knows more can add to the discussion. But if I had the right length spokes, I'd do it too. Maybe not with a PowerTap, but for a knock around wheel.

4x on a 32-spoke wheel will have the spokes leaving the hub exactly tangentially. The angle of the spoke relative to radial is calculated by dividing 360 deg. by the number of spokes on each side of the hub (16 in this case) and then multiplying by the number of crossings; so 360/16 x 4 = 90 degrees. That might be ok depending on the hub - but check that having spokes leaving at 90 degrees won't interfere where they leave the hub. 4x is commonly used on 36 or 40 hole hubs where the angle will be less than perfectly tangential 360/18 x 4 = 80 degrees for 36 hole and 360/20 x 4 = 72 degrees for 40 hole.

Not a good idea since the spokes might cross over the elbos of others, causing another bend on it's way to the rim. I'd shell out another 30-40 and get spokes for 3x... or cut your spokes down some, if possible.

on smaller and larger(Saris)flange hubs, 4x 32 is not recommended.

spoke head interference and more than tangentially crossed spokes.

ok, probably will get new spokes.

Different sized flanges will result in different spoke angles for the same number of crosses/spokes. I was curious, so I made a quick drawing on CAD using 70mm as the hub diameter (Powertap DS). For 4x and 32 holes, the spokes leave the hub at 96°45'58.2294" from radial, exactly.

(yes, I am a dork )

If you are a weight weenie...4x means more weight than 3x...

=8-)

Weight weenies quiver when it concerns a powertap.

Weight weenies only cross spokes on the drive side rear. 3X/4X wouldn't even be a consideration. Not that you can't build a very lightweight set of wheels using a 3X pattern.