Spoke count question
 

I weigh between 160 and 175 lbs, depending on the time of year. I'm looking to build up a wheelset using White Industries H2 hubs laced 3x with db spokes to Velocity Aerohead rims.

What spoke counts would you recommend? I am thinking that 24/28 would be too low, so I am leaning toward 28/32 right now.

Here are my options for spoke counts
(front)
18, 20, 24, 28, 32
(rear)
20, 24, 28, 32, 36

I weigh about the same. I've never broken a spoke in my life. Should be a pretty stout wheel with a low spoke count. Enjoy.

^ So do you think that 24/28 would be fine?

when i was 220lbs, i was riding an alexrim da16 with 24/28 spokes. never had a problem.

^ do those wheels have paired spokes or are they evenly spaced?

I've ridden on 20/24 at 220+lbs without issues, paired spokes, don't know what difference it would make though.

At your weight I'd go 24/28 with a shallow rim like an aerohead, and maybe 20/24 with a deeper rim.
I'm 200 and I ride a 24/28 wheelset with WI hubs and Niobium 30 rims with CXRay spokes with no problems. Just make sure everythings tensioned properly and you should be OK.

front was radial-spoked, rear was 2x (possibly 3x?) - it's a 2006 Allez. I just checked Specialized's website but now they say the spec for that bike was 28/32. I could be mistaken. In any case, since then I've changed to 2008 Mavic Aksium which are 20/24.

First off, i they are built well, they will probably work fine for a long time for you whichever you choose.

But what are you using them for? If you are just training on them and planning on going long distances from your house/car, sometimes in foul weather, I would go 28/32 or more, but if these are race wheels (if you are into that kind of thing) I would go more like 20/24 (laced 2x).

+1. For everyday wheels, 28/32. For special event wheels, 24/28. By the way, if you go with 28 rear, the best you can do is go 2x.

I recently built a set of Aeroheads laced to Ultegra (28 radial front, 32 3x rear) and I really like them so far. The Aeroheads are nice looking rims. You should consider the O/C rim for the rear if you haven't already.

depending on hub and rim combo, general rule is divide spokes by nine to get max crossings.

Ooops, you're right. Duh.

I'll be using the off center rim in the rear. I don't race, but I like to go fast and stiffness is important as I like to climb.

at 180 with the roads i ride on I would go with 32 spoke front and rear. I am pretty much done with pared spokes.

The actual weight of the Aerohead seems to come in around 430g. The Kinlin XR-300 comes in around 460g and allows you to take 4 spokes off each wheel for the same relative strength, so consider those instead for a wheel that is more aero and about the same weight.

If you only ride on nice, smooth roads, 24/28 should be fine (20/24 if you take my rim suggestion). Otherwise, stick with 28/32 (24/28) to be safe.

+1 - I weigh 170. Last year I rode anywhere from 168-199 pounds and did so on a set of wheels I built myself. 28r 24f 2x on both with dt rr 1.1 rims.

I have been building frequently with the XR-300 rim with great results. i built a set last year that I will most likely build for myself as well. They were for a guy who is about 10 pounds lighter, but wanted something he could ride for centuries and ultra distance rides.

28R, 24f. Rear - DS= DT Competition 2.0-1.8-2.0 spokes laced 1x. NDS= DT Revolutions 2.0-1.5(?)-2.0 laced 2X. Front - Radial DT Revolutions.

It's a wonderful wheelset.

I'm in the same weight range during race season (well, 170-172) and 20/24 works well for me. I've got a set of 28/28 (now 28/32 with PowerTap) that even seems like overkill. YMMV but 24/28 would be fine if that's what you have your heart set on.

Totally. I'm honestly not sure how strong that Velocity Aerohead is, but you should be fine anyways.

The hardest thing about the Aerohead for low spoke counts is that it gets to a narrow range of acceptable tension. The lack of eyelets mean you can't go too tight, but the low spoke means you can't go too low either. Too tight = broken rim. Too loose = broken spokes.

At 160, anything higher than 4 should do.

I am currently running a set of the can creek volos 28 rear 24 front straight pull spokes with cane creek hubs. I raced cross on them for a year the guy I bought them from raced 2 cross seasons on them and used them as an all around wheel in the off season. Last weekend were the only time they have ever been trued and that was becasue of a very deep pothole on a chip and seal down hill.

The rim? its a velocity aeohead in front and an aerohead oc in back. I WIll be building up another set of wheel on this same rim in the near future. But those will be 32's because thats what the hubs I have are.

I am pretty sure you can do 20/24, no worries. I fluctuate between 178 and 192 and I ride my 20/24 wheelset hard. Very hard. Never a problem.

go 24/28

I like to play safe and have strong wheels and don't think 4 extra spokes are going to slow me down. Carry 4 spokes in your hand and go for a ride and tell me how much slower you are?

At your weight, the 24/28 is fine but I'd go 28/32 for a stronger wheel. I wouldn't go 20/24 unless they are race wheels. I'm 220 lbs and I'd go for me 32/32 or 32/36 or 36/36.

But it depends upon the roads, how rough they are, how many turns there are, are there hills, and the type of rider you are, do you sprint alot, do you push hard on the pedals going up hills. AAll this stresses the spokes thus stretching the spokes. It also depends upon the strength of the wheel. A stronger wheel can go with less spokes because it's not going to flex alot. If it's a deep depth wheel, 24/28 will be fine, shallow depth you should have 28/32.

165 here and I prefer 24/28 (I train on Easton EA90 SLs). I've had problems with 16/20. Not sure if 20/24 would stay as true as 24/28 for me.