advantage of radial lacing for front wheel?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 36
Bikes: Soma Rush
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
advantage of radial lacing for front wheel?
Is there any advantage of lacing a front wheel radial, instead of 2x or 3x? Is it just for looks? Thanks
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 771
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i think it uses less spokes but is not as strong so can only be used on front wheel. lots of road bikes have them so its probably all about weight.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 386
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
it uses a SLIGHTLY shorter spoke (a few mm max), so it saves weight there. it looks different than what has been used for years, and my friend swears that its more aerodynamic. (yet i still beat him with my 3x laced wheel.)
#5
Mmm cats
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Brooklyn
Posts: 816
Bikes: Fuji Track Pro, Cinelli Strato Faster, Superb Sprint, Fuji Cross RC
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
It looks cool. That's ... about it.
If you're worried about/or needed the benefits of the aerodynamic properties of a radial vs. 3 cross, you wouldn't be posting on the internet, you'd be too busy running nationals and worlds on Mavics.
If you're worried about/or needed the benefits of the aerodynamic properties of a radial vs. 3 cross, you wouldn't be posting on the internet, you'd be too busy running nationals and worlds on Mavics.
#7
Senior Member
The benefits of radial lacing are a slightly lighter, more aero, and slightly stiffer wheel. Its also much easier and faster to build a radially laced wheel. The only real drawback to radial lacing is that it cannot handle torque, which is why a rear wheel is never completely radial laced, although one side may be radial. Radial is perfectly fine for the front, unless you are using a disk brake. Radial lacing stresses the hub flange more and there is a very minor risk of breaking the hub flange if you are using a hub not built for radial lacing.
All my bikes have radially laced fronts ranging in spoke count from 36-24, all custom built by myself. My oldest pairs of wheels have been subjected to pretty severe punishment, but none of them have ever broken, lost tension, or gone out of true. With the right front hub (and no disk brake), radial is as strong, durable, and reliable as a 2x or 3x. Overall, the benefits are exceedingly minor, but IMO, its the best lacing strategy for the front wheel.
All my bikes have radially laced fronts ranging in spoke count from 36-24, all custom built by myself. My oldest pairs of wheels have been subjected to pretty severe punishment, but none of them have ever broken, lost tension, or gone out of true. With the right front hub (and no disk brake), radial is as strong, durable, and reliable as a 2x or 3x. Overall, the benefits are exceedingly minor, but IMO, its the best lacing strategy for the front wheel.
Last edited by mihlbach; 06-21-08 at 05:46 PM.
#8
Tell them I hate them
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 939
Bikes: Specialized Allez Epic '91, IRO Mark V Pro, Schwinn Traveler
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just lace it monospoke. That's the easiest. Super stiff too
#9
cab horn
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 28,353
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
19 Posts
You are making the mistaken implication that just because your raidal wheels haven't broken that they are equivalent in strength to 1,2 or even 3 cross. No real mechanic would utter such a statement.
The primary reason wheels for rec riders are radially laced is for aesthetics.
#10
Senior Member
Completely and utterly false.
You are making the mistaken implication that just because your raidal wheels haven't broken that they are equivalent in strength to 1,2 or even 3 cross. No real mechanic would utter such a statement.
The primary reason wheels for rec riders are radially laced is for aesthetics.
You are making the mistaken implication that just because your raidal wheels haven't broken that they are equivalent in strength to 1,2 or even 3 cross. No real mechanic would utter such a statement.
The primary reason wheels for rec riders are radially laced is for aesthetics.
You are incorrect in thinking that no "real" mechanic would claim this. My claims aren't merely based on my own experience with building and riding wheels. Other sources including many (indeed, the majority) of noteworthy wheelbuilders build radially laced wheels and find no problems with them. If radially laced front wheels (assuming no disk brake and properly built hub) are structurally more flawed than crossed spokes, please explain how and back it up with proof or data of some sort.
Nonetheless, you are right that aesthetics are a big factor for some people. However, it could be that the reason why many many front wheels are radially laced boils down to cost...they are easier and faster to build, and probably cheaper to manufacture.
Last edited by mihlbach; 06-21-08 at 06:53 PM.
#11
No cud for foil.
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD and Montreal, QC
Posts: 1,001
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: four 1 OHHH , Maryland
Posts: 2,849
Bikes: nagasawa, fuji track pro
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
to respond to the OP, radially lacing is lighter...it matters to some... (pros)
maybe for somepeople, aesthetics?
maybe for somepeople, aesthetics?
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,258
Bikes: Classic lugged-steel road, touring, shopping, semi-recumbent, gravel
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 46 Post(s)
Liked 81 Times
in
32 Posts
I believe the difference between a radial spoke and a 3x wheel (36h, 700c) is the length of one-half of one spoke!
#14
Ths Hipstr Kills Masheenz
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: seattle
Posts: 8,542
Bikes: tirove
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
no one's brought up the difference between torsional strength vs. rigidity and structural strength?
radial lacing is stronger and lighter than arrospoks, therefore it must be stronger and lighter than air.
radial lacing is stronger and lighter than arrospoks, therefore it must be stronger and lighter than air.
#15
IRL Banhammer
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: RVA
Posts: 664
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Chiefly weight. Remember, you're not putting pressure down on the spokes, only at the top part of the rotation are the spokes actually hanging the wheel on your frame.
Also, 3x is the strongest lacing, even stronger than 4x.
Cheers
Also, 3x is the strongest lacing, even stronger than 4x.
Cheers
__________________
saddle sores bike club | prepare to be rode
saddle sores bike club | prepare to be rode
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 486
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I prefer the 'feel' of 2-cross front wheels. When I ride a radially laced front .. it feels really 'dead' .. i mean, the feeling in my hands feels exactly the same all the time. 2-cross feels more springy and lively. Feels less .. harsh, i guess. Anyone know what i'm talking about?
#18
META
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 945
Bikes: Gary Fisher Aquila (retired), Specialized Allez Sport (in parts), Cannondale R500, HP Velotechnic Street Machine, Dented Blue Fixed Gear (retired), Seven Tsunami SSFG, Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Hardtail (alloy version)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
1 Post
Thats a pretty bold series of statements you are making.
You are incorrect in thinking that no "real" mechanic would claim this. My claims aren't merely based on my own experience with building and riding wheels. Other sources including many (indeed, the majority) of noteworthy wheelbuilders build radially laced wheels and find no problems with them. If radially laced front wheels (assuming no disk brake and properly built hub) are structurally more flawed than crossed spokes, please explain how and back it up with proof or data of some sort.
Nonetheless, you are right that aesthetics are a big factor for some people. However, it could be that the reason why many many front wheels are radially laced boils down to cost...they are easier and faster to build, and probably cheaper to manufacture.
You are incorrect in thinking that no "real" mechanic would claim this. My claims aren't merely based on my own experience with building and riding wheels. Other sources including many (indeed, the majority) of noteworthy wheelbuilders build radially laced wheels and find no problems with them. If radially laced front wheels (assuming no disk brake and properly built hub) are structurally more flawed than crossed spokes, please explain how and back it up with proof or data of some sort.
Nonetheless, you are right that aesthetics are a big factor for some people. However, it could be that the reason why many many front wheels are radially laced boils down to cost...they are easier and faster to build, and probably cheaper to manufacture.
In the class on wheelbuilding at UBI (as well as in reading from the books by Jobst Brandt, Gerd Schraner, Barnetts and others) the general consensus was that Radial lacing is (surprise surprise) radially stiffer and therefore better able to handle loads across a diameter line on a wheel. Also they are a touch lighter than wheel with a higher cross count. As previously noted.
So no, its not just for looks.
tbrtbx:
so you've found ride quality to be affected by spoking pattern? what do you attribute that to? At a guess I think it would be the difference in radial rigidity between a direct vs. tangential (ie. radial versus any other kind of cross laced) mount spoking pattern.
Can you expand on what you mean by dead?
#19
Banned
Join Date: May 2005
Location: GA
Posts: 5,317
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
radial wheels are stronger both laterally and radially though a mess under torsion(hence no disk fronts or rears).
Shorter spokes all coming from the outside of the flange means a larger angle and stronger laterally.
Shorter spokes all coming from the outside of the flange means a larger angle and stronger laterally.
#20
.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,860
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It's very sad to see, but some Walmart faux-BMX bikes have radial lacing front and rear. Granted they are also 48 spoke wheels, but still. You gotta love it when marketing teams pretend they're engineers.
__________________
https://blicksbags.com/
https://blicksbags.com/
#21
cab horn
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 28,353
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
19 Posts
So the we've now redefined stronger as weak now?
Radial by definition puts the stress on the hub flange on a much smaller section than 1x, 2x or 3x. When you do this with high spoke count wheels and small flanges and non forged hubs you are asking for disaster.
Please, let me know how you've solved this problem and can now claim that radial spoking is just as strong as any > 0 # of crosses. Sure it's stiffer laterally and radially, but if that's the metric we're redefining "strong" wheels as, then you are 100% correct.
Radial by definition puts the stress on the hub flange on a much smaller section than 1x, 2x or 3x. When you do this with high spoke count wheels and small flanges and non forged hubs you are asking for disaster.
Please, let me know how you've solved this problem and can now claim that radial spoking is just as strong as any > 0 # of crosses. Sure it's stiffer laterally and radially, but if that's the metric we're redefining "strong" wheels as, then you are 100% correct.
#23
.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,860
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hey, no need to antagonize anyone. Let's just discuss the topic.
__________________
https://blicksbags.com/
https://blicksbags.com/
#24
circus bear
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Austin
Posts: 642
Bikes: 97(?) GT Richochet, 00 Schwinn SuperSport
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Radial doesn't work for bigger people. I can't and won't run radial on any of my bikes. It may look cool but I have no desire to have a spoke or 3 pop riding my Panic to work at 430 am.
So, strong laterally with weight savings but poor torsionally as someone already pointed out. No bueno for a Clyde on rough roads going fixed 20 miles RT...
So, strong laterally with weight savings but poor torsionally as someone already pointed out. No bueno for a Clyde on rough roads going fixed 20 miles RT...
#25
Senior Member
So the we've now redefined stronger as weak now?
Radial by definition puts the stress on the hub flange on a much smaller section than 1x, 2x or 3x. When you do this with high spoke count wheels and small flanges and non forged hubs you are asking for disaster.
Please, let me know how you've solved this problem and can now claim that radial spoking is just as strong as any > 0 # of crosses. Sure it's stiffer laterally and radially, but if that's the metric we're redefining "strong" wheels as, then you are 100% correct.
Radial by definition puts the stress on the hub flange on a much smaller section than 1x, 2x or 3x. When you do this with high spoke count wheels and small flanges and non forged hubs you are asking for disaster.
Please, let me know how you've solved this problem and can now claim that radial spoking is just as strong as any > 0 # of crosses. Sure it's stiffer laterally and radially, but if that's the metric we're redefining "strong" wheels as, then you are 100% correct.
Many hubs are build to withstand radial lacing, even most hubs that are not warranted with radial are still built for it...its not as if the solution isn't already there. There are millions of radial wheels out there and no one's dying from them, not even clydes.
Last edited by mihlbach; 06-22-08 at 11:48 AM.