Spoke Count and CF Wheels - Will I crush these at my weight?
10-24-16, 09:52 PM
#26
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Different gauge on the DS and NDS does nothing to balance tension in the spokes on the two sides. It helps to balance tensile stress as you pointed out. That isn't tension. It relates to making the spoke elongation more similar at different tensions. But still, if that is what you want to do, you need a 1.5 mm spoke on the NDS to match the elongation of a 2.0 mm spoke on the DS, tensions being the same.
But...
Highest cost, and lightest wheels in the world do not employ a balanced tension method.
From ax-lightness SRT 24 to Extralight Hyper whatevers to LEW Racing RZRs junior used 3 years ago.
The best performing wheels we happened to have ever owned have the same number of spoke on both sides.
10-25-16, 05:05 AM
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But how does a spoke derive its stiffness? A spoke, which is essentially a tiny metal pillar no matter what gauge it is, cannot carry a compressive load unless it is pre-loaded to a level meeting or exceeding the expected load. You said yourself that "elongation needs to be increased" to prevent slackening. When a metal wire is elongated, it is being pre-loaded (tensioned). Increasing the elongation, all else being equal, means increasing the tension, no?
Last edited by fa63; 10-25-16 at 06:34 AM.
10-25-16, 10:01 AM
#29
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OK, crush may be a bit of an exaggeration. I've also read all the other threads regarding spoke count, but unfortunately I have to ask about this particular situation. Since I may be dropping 2K+ on a bike (which I consider a lot for a bike), I'd like to have all the info I can get.
I really like the new Trek ALR 6 Pro. But... the "Vision Metron 40 LTD" wheelset appears to have 18 spokes in the front and 21(?) in the rear. I contacted Trek and they said the spoke count is the same for all size frames/builds. I understand these are very nice wheels but at my weight 210#, I worry about such a low spoke count. Granted, I do ride on very smooth well maintained roads and paths here in Southern California and this bike/wheels would not be abused, but I still worry about durability and longevity (which I care about more than weight etc). Also, I'm not a powerful rider by any means.
Should I be concerned about such a low spoke count or just shut up and ride it?
I really like the new Trek ALR 6 Pro. But... the "Vision Metron 40 LTD" wheelset appears to have 18 spokes in the front and 21(?) in the rear. I contacted Trek and they said the spoke count is the same for all size frames/builds. I understand these are very nice wheels but at my weight 210#, I worry about such a low spoke count. Granted, I do ride on very smooth well maintained roads and paths here in Southern California and this bike/wheels would not be abused, but I still worry about durability and longevity (which I care about more than weight etc). Also, I'm not a powerful rider by any means.
Should I be concerned about such a low spoke count or just shut up and ride it?
It depends on which part of Southern Cal (OC) you ride. Riding flat is fine. Considering your weight, I probably would not descend >10% slope with these wheels (eg Ridge Park/Vista Ridge @ Newport, Park Ave @ Laguna Beach...)
10-25-16, 10:18 AM
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But how does a spoke derive its stiffness? A spoke, which is essentially a tiny metal pillar no matter what gauge it is, cannot carry a compressive load unless it is pre-loaded to a level meeting or exceeding the expected load. You said yourself that "elongation needs to be increased" to prevent slackening. When a metal wire is elongated, it is being pre-loaded (tensioned). Increasing the elongation, all else being equal, means increasing the tension, no?
Last edited by rpenmanparker; 10-25-16 at 10:33 AM.
