proposed new spoke size
 

I found a 12 gauge spoke in a recycle bin. The threads were unable to fit through a shimano so I cut it in half. Surprise the elbow did fit in a shimano XT hub. So if someone were to build a 12/13 gauge spoke it would work. 13 gauge nipples have a flat of .156 inch 14 gauge spokes have a flat of .136 inch. A 13 gauge nipple will fit in Weinmann 519 rims. This rim is available in 48 holes now and it is tougher than anything Mavic makes. This company can roll 12 gauge spokes http://holmeshobbies.com/product.php...0&bestseller=Y This company can swage spokes though they only do the larger motorcycle sizes http://www.buchananspokes.net/categories/spokes.asp notice the prices. Notice also that single butted or single swaged spokes are standard for motorcycles. Stainless steel nipples are also standard. Santana uses a single butted spoke because many people would complain about the lack of stiffness of triple butted spokes. With 12 gauge spokes you can have your strenght and you can choose the stiffness you want. There is room for the 12/13 gauge the 12/14/13 triple butted spoke also. A wheel with 36 12 gauge spokes will be stronger than a wheel with 48 14 gauge spokes. It will be cheaper too. The shimano HF 07 hub uses the same parts as the shimano XT 750 but costs $80 more. This is a drop in replacement for standard wheels and if you do break a spoke you can use a 14 guage spoke as an emergency replacement.

Big spokes
 

I am wondering if a 36 spoke 12 gauge wheel is really stronger as the rim has many longer unsupported spans. Also the ride might get uncomfortably stif with the less stretchy spokes. Finally, can you get a tandem rated 36 hole hub? Interesting ideas though!

Not seeing how this is a proposal for a new spoke size. Schwinn used 12 gauge tandem spokes back in the day, as well as 12/13 double butted spokes.

Studies of bridge plate over 100 ago found the closer the fit between the rivet and plate the longer the life for both of them. A fatter spoke is less like a knife so places less stress on a hub. A .105 inch compared to a .08 inch places .105/.08 = 1.3125 less stress on the hub.

Absolutely. Phil Wood, Chris King, White Industries, DT, & Hadley come to mind.

TandemGeek qualify that answer.

With a Phil Wood you can get anything you damn well could want. They'll one off your drilling if you needed some different spoke patter (paired) than is available. If you can draw it, or explain it, they can make it.

What's to qualify?

dwmckee asked a straight forward question: "can you get a tandem rated 36 hole hub?"

Given that dwmckee acquired a Co-Motion tandem over the summer with 145mm rear-spacing, all five of the hub makers I mentioned offer 36h, 145mm rear hubs with steel axles and steel freehubs that are designed and marketed for tandem use. In most cases, these same hub makers offer 135mm axle width hubs that are suitable for tandems, a few (Phil Wood, Chris King & Hadley) offer 160mm axle width models, and a few (Phil Wood, Chris King and DT) even offer 140mm versions to address the "between years" tandems that use the pre-145mm and pre-160mm spec. The latter include quite a few Cannondale models from well into the late 90's, e.g., my '98 Cannondale MT3000 had 140mm rear spacing and Hugi-made, Coda-branded hubs.

What else of any relevance were you looking for?