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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

Number of spokes?

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Old 05-17-10 | 08:48 PM
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Number of spokes?

Is there any benefit on getting less than 36 spokes on a track wheel? My friends going to get some h+sons and new hubs but hes unsure about the spoke count, as am I
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Old 05-17-10 | 09:01 PM
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Lower spoke count wheels (generally speaking) are trading strength for lighter weight.
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Old 05-17-10 | 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted by lz4005
Lower spoke count wheels (generally speaking) are trading strength for lighter weight.
Generally speaking, deeper profile rims reduce the length of spokes; thereby giving it more strength as the the rim is closer to the hub.
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Old 05-17-10 | 09:06 PM
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32h is more the standard... will have more hub options that way
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Old 05-17-10 | 09:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Vixtor
Generally speaking, deeper profile rims reduce the length of spokes; thereby giving it more strength as the the rim is closer to the hub.
Deeper profile rims are usually stronger (for a different reason) but this is a thread about spoke count.
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Old 05-17-10 | 09:20 PM
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Haha, I didn't even know why I quoted you...it was irrelevant, my apologies.
I brought up rim profile because OP's friend is getting an H+Son rim and it is pretty deep.
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Old 05-17-10 | 09:37 PM
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Vixor: No worries. It did seem pretty random.

To the OP: Your friend should pick a hub he likes and see what spoke counts it is available in. That may make the decision easier.
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Old 05-18-10 | 04:01 AM
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Ah I see, well my friend wants to order the h+son for his kilo tt, hes not doing tricks or anything he doesnt know if he wants the formation face or sl42 should he get 28 spokes then? what would you guys get? sl32 with 28?
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Old 05-18-10 | 06:11 AM
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28 spokes should be fine; just make sure they are of good quality stainless steel, double-butted, and use brass nipples.
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Old 05-18-10 | 06:37 AM
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Spokes are like, way overrated.
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Old 05-18-10 | 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Scrodzilla
Spokes are like, way overrated.
But white bikes with ugly accents never seem to die.

Enjoy
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Old 05-18-10 | 12:18 PM
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I am building a 36h wheelset because I want to have some extra strength. Also because I dont really mind the difference in weight between 32 and 36.

I live in pot hole city
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Old 05-18-10 | 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by xavier853
I am building a 36h wheelset because I want to have some extra strength. Also because I dont really mind the difference in weight between 32 and 36.

I live in pot hole city
Try the 3L-3F spoke pattern.
It is one of my fav's.

Enjoy
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Old 05-18-10 | 12:23 PM
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what are some good tires and size to run with them? that aren't too pricey, and cheapest but still quality front and rear hub

edit: or acually is this a pretty good price?
https://cgi.ebay.ca/H-Plus-Son-Deep-V...item45f2d43760

Last edited by Dosu; 05-18-10 at 12:57 PM.
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Old 05-18-10 | 12:53 PM
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Originally Posted by powers2b
Try the 3L-3F spoke pattern.
It is one of my fav's.

Enjoy
Could you explain? I could just be stupid, but I am drawing a blank on this.
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Old 05-18-10 | 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by xavier853
Could you explain? I could just be stupid, but I am drawing a blank on this.
3 leading - 3 following
There should be plenty of pics on the net.
Sheldon B had some on his site as well.
I have built a few and love the look.
https://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g1...3trailing2.jpg

Enjoy
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Old 05-18-10 | 01:03 PM
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Originally Posted by powers2b
3 leading - 3 following
There should be plenty of pics on the net.
Sheldon B had some on his site as well.
I have built a few and love the look.
https://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g1...3trailing2.jpg

Enjoy
Can always count on Sheldon. Yes, that pattern looks very pretty. I was thinking I would do a traditional 3 cross on the rear wheel, and I think I will do this 3L - 3F pattern for my front. Thanks for showing me!
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Old 05-18-10 | 01:06 PM
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Lower wheel weight shouldn't matter (no real benefit) unless the rider has shed excess weight (big bag, baggy clothes, u-lock etc). No reason to sacrifice strength for a negated weight difference. Strength is more important for the rear, of course. Have a little fun with your front wheel.

I have a friend with a front 3L/3T pattern, and it does look sweet. I have my rear done in a 36h 4x pattern which is as solid as they come. My front is a 32h crow's-foot-alternate-radial which is pretty sweet too.
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Old 05-18-10 | 01:29 PM
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I have several 3L-3F rear fixed wheels and have never had a wheel strength issue (not sure if that is what is being implied).
But I rock as a wheel builder so I would't expect to.

Enjoy
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Old 05-18-10 | 01:36 PM
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in twenty posts about reduced spoke count, no one used the word aerodynamic, haha. i leave for one second...
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Old 05-18-10 | 04:02 PM
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Excellent info, I'm learning, he's probably going to go with the formation face in 28 spoke and some not too pricey hubs
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Old 05-18-10 | 05:20 PM
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it's been my experience that that the quality of the build is more important than the number of spokes or the depth of the rim. one of my wheelsets is 28h low flange hubs laced 3 cross to low profile rims. i had them handbuilt at the LBS by someone whom i had heard good things about. granted i'm not all that heavy (140lbs) but these wheels have held up very well to street riding, potholes and all.

contrast that to a set of 36h (probably) machine-built deep v's i got on ebay that were constantly going out of true.
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Old 05-18-10 | 07:41 PM
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low flange hubs are better than high for the street? who makes some good 28h ones for a reasonable price?
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Old 05-18-10 | 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Dosu
low flange hubs are better than high for the street?
Neither one's really better.

There's theoretical benefits of strength/weight/stiffness/etc for each, but its mostly personal preference.
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Old 05-18-10 | 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Dosu
low flange hubs are better than high for the street? who makes some good 28h ones for a reasonable price?
neither is inherently "better" for the streets. low flange are slightly lighter but i wouldn't worry about it too much. since he's going with h+son's, these aren't really going to be weight weenie wheels anyway.

fwiw i have dura ace 7710 hubs. i got the pair for $200 from here:

https://www.worldclasscycles.com/Trac...nents_cart.htm (scroll down to hubs)

don't be fooled by the janky website. they are in fact legit. if your friend is trying to keep costs down i'd go with miche hubs. they seem to have the best bang:buck ratio in the lower end price range ($120 for the pair from the same site). whatever you do, if you're going for a custom built wheelset, don't cheap out on some crappy formulas.
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