Radial-Spoked Front Wheel Question
 

Is it better to project the spokes inward or outward from the hub flange when building a radially-spoke front wheel for track use?

It seems to me that the wheel would be more structurally sound with the spokes projecting outward, because each would gain an additional 2-3mm of lateral leverage on the rim. The drawback of course is that these outward-projected spokes would be slightly less aerodynamic. But since we're already using 28 CX-Rays on the front, we're already pretty aero.

Most pictures I find on the internet of radially-spoked front wheels have the spokes projecting inward, thusly:

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/MEMAAO...dB/s-l1600.jpg

So which way is best, and why?

I'll be bummed if I have to undo all the careful work I've done so far, but not as bummed as I would be if these wheels weren't perfect for my GF and I.

P.S. Jobst's book says nothing about this.

I say leave it alone the way you've done it. All the wheels I've seen are done that way. The problem with placing the spokes on the outside is that you bend the spoke against the hub flange, which creates a prying force on the spoke head.

Yeah every radial wheel I've ever seen has been spokes-in.

This question was cross posted in the Bike Mechanics forum.

You guys waaaaay better than those guys. :lol:

http://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-me...-question.html


-Tim-

Ive tried it both ways. The difference is negligible.

Thanks fellows, and sorry for posting it twice. Wanted to cast the widest net possible. Will re-lace both fronts with the spokes projecting inward (heads out, as in the photo above) and keep an eye on the tension.

This is my first set of track wheels, and my first radial lacing, but I built up a set of 32 2x road wheels about 10 years ago with these awesome CXRays and despite 10 years of rough roads and heavy loads, I might have re-trued them once.
The rear wheels for our track bikes are 32 2x, and these bikes will be ridden exclusively on San Diego's big 333-meter outdoor asphalt velodrome, which is currently being resurfaced, so I'm not too worried about rough roads and the wheels being strong enough.

Sometimes I wonder if Jobst's recommendations aren't a little outdated, given the materials innovations we've had over the last 15 years. Despite being 190 pounds, I have no problem riding Dura Ace road wheels which have only 16 radially-laced spokes on the front, and have only had to true them once (slightly) after beating the hell out of them on Foxen Canyon Road to finish Solvang in 5 hours.

I spy a DT 240. I actually have that hub laced in that exact same way. All of my radial wheels have spokes inward.

He's using a Dura Ace 7600. The pic was just for reference.

But yeah...heads out, elbows in.

Nah.
As in the other thread, whether in a radial or in a crossed lace, a heads-in spoke won't be properly aligned to reach the rim when the wheel is first laced. For a reliable build the spoke has to be set/aligned one way or another during the build process. Radial or cross, both will need the same treatment and see the same forces.

I have a radially laced one of those too, warranty voiding goodness unless they changed it between when i bought my set from you and now.