Wheel stiffness and handling
09-09-05 | 03:22 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Beausage is Beautiful
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 13
From: Saitama, Japan
Bikes: Nabiis Alchemy
Wheel stiffness and handling
As some of you might remember, for a while I've been rocking a 16-spoke wheel up front on my fixie. One of these to be exact. Very light, very aero, very sexy. Overall, I'm still pretty impressed with the durability and general quality of the wheel. Still, it was always a bit squishy, and over the last couple of weeks as my mileage has shot up, it started creaking and making other weird sounds and I started to worry. I'd just rather not have a catastrophic wheel failure on my way to work. So I ordered in a Shimano 105/Mavic machine-built wheel through the LBS and when it came in today, I put a tire on it, threw it on the bike, and gave it the run around town.
The new wheel is noticeably stiffer, as in quite a bit, and one thing I immediately noticed is how much more secure it feels in the turns. Road bumps from MO's crappy roads are a little worse, but oh well. Overall, I definitely dig the improved handling that comes from twice as many spokes and a stiffer wheel.
Similar experiences, anyone?
The new wheel is noticeably stiffer, as in quite a bit, and one thing I immediately noticed is how much more secure it feels in the turns. Road bumps from MO's crappy roads are a little worse, but oh well. Overall, I definitely dig the improved handling that comes from twice as many spokes and a stiffer wheel.
Similar experiences, anyone?
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Yo. Everything I’m doing is linked on What’s up with Dave? but most of note currently is Somewhere in Japan.
Yo. Everything I’m doing is linked on What’s up with Dave? but most of note currently is Somewhere in Japan.
09-09-05 | 03:42 PM
#2
Coasting makes you grumpy
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Bikes: Specialized Stumpjumper M2Comp; Habanero Ti-Team; Slingshot Road; 1962 converted Raliegh fixer aka: The Beast
I've had similar results unless I was running one of the deep section (i.e. >30mm) rims with bladed spokes. Then, the aero wheel was stiffer and more direct in the turns. I think what you noticed is magnified on the fixed, as you tend to have more load on the wheels in the turns.
09-09-05 | 05:32 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
I was rollin a 650c front end for awhile, with a 20 spoke radial laced wheel. I recently put the stock fork back on with a mavic ma3 rim around a 32hole 105 hub. The ride quality and stiffness have improved noticeably.
I miss the lower front end, it made turned super-quick, gave me great leverage, and there was no issue with toe clearance. (I wear a size 15 shoe)
I miss the lower front end, it made turned super-quick, gave me great leverage, and there was no issue with toe clearance. (I wear a size 15 shoe)
09-10-05 | 12:28 PM
#7
re:member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 874
Likes: 0
From: Cracow, Poland
Bikes: unknown make TT bike, fixed; Romet Sport, gone; titanium Pinarello gone;Colnago with Campy C-Record/Super Record,on it's way; Funny Gianni Motta; Buehler track, Polrad track chrome; titanium MTB on 28'', fixed; Tri Wheeler, fixed
I second that.
My 12 spoke Shamal is stiffer than regular low profile 32 spoke wheel which in turn is stiffer than fancy 16 spoke Gipiemme. This is at the expense of the weight and weight placement - Shamal is heaviest.
My 12 spoke Shamal is stiffer than regular low profile 32 spoke wheel which in turn is stiffer than fancy 16 spoke Gipiemme. This is at the expense of the weight and weight placement - Shamal is heaviest.
