Will a 36H rear wheel feel different than a 32 or is it my imagination?
10-23-21, 03:51 AM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 244
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 206 Post(s)
Liked 38 Times
in
27 Posts
Will a 36H rear wheel feel different than a 32 or is it my imagination?
If I perceive a difference in how this 36h wheel feels compared to the 32h that was previously on it is it likely for real or just psychosomatic?
32 straight gauge spokes vs. 36 triple-butted spokes - would you expect a perceptible difference in lateral stiffness?
32 straight gauge spokes vs. 36 triple-butted spokes - would you expect a perceptible difference in lateral stiffness?
Last edited by MyRedTrek; 10-23-21 at 07:14 AM.
Likes For MyRedTrek:
10-23-21, 04:13 AM
#2
Senior Member
You can feel moderate differences in weight when accelerating though it makes startlingly little difference to your average speed, though if the wheels are otherwise identical you probably can't feel the pretty modest difference of 4 spokes. You also might be able to feel differences of rim width in some contexts. In a few limited contexts you can also feel/observe a wheels lateral stiffness. Radial deflection of conventional wheels is so slight as to be imperceptible.
The power of imagination is pretty great and exceeds all the above factors. If they're otherwise identical? Probably imperceptible.
The power of imagination is pretty great and exceeds all the above factors. If they're otherwise identical? Probably imperceptible.
Likes For cpach:
10-23-21, 07:08 AM
#3
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 244
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 206 Post(s)
Liked 38 Times
in
27 Posts
You can feel moderate differences in weight when accelerating though it makes startlingly little difference to your average speed, though if the wheels are otherwise identical you probably can't feel the pretty modest difference of 4 spokes. You also might be able to feel differences of rim width in some contexts. In a few limited contexts you can also feel/observe a wheels lateral stiffness. Radial deflection of conventional wheels is so slight as to be imperceptible.
The power of imagination is pretty great and exceeds all the above factors. If they're otherwise identical? Probably imperceptible.
The power of imagination is pretty great and exceeds all the above factors. If they're otherwise identical? Probably imperceptible.
10-23-21, 07:21 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,096 Times
in
742 Posts
Do the wheels have the same tires? If one has wider, heavier or lower pressure tires that may be the difference you feel.
10-23-21, 07:24 AM
#5
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
10-23-21, 09:09 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 3,767
Bikes: lots
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1958 Post(s)
Liked 2,932 Times
in
1,489 Posts
No, you can't feel any difference. A wheel has to be very stiff radially to stay in one piece. No way you can feel it flex with a pneumatic tire mounted.
Likes For cxwrench:
10-23-21, 10:04 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,806
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1944 Post(s)
Liked 2,164 Times
in
1,323 Posts
I doubt you will feel any difference. In fact since the 36 hole wheel is using triple butted spokes, (32 hole straight spokes), the weight and the minute aero differences could be offset.
Either way, bring a shovel because you will be in the weeds trying to perceive spoke count-spoke flex to ride comfort.
John
Either way, bring a shovel because you will be in the weeds trying to perceive spoke count-spoke flex to ride comfort.
John
10-24-21, 09:31 AM
#9
Dirty Heathen
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: MC-778, 6250 fsw
Posts: 2,182
Bikes: 1997 Cannondale, 1976 Bridgestone, 1998 SoftRide, 1989 Klein, 1989 Black Lightning #0033
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 889 Post(s)
Liked 906 Times
in
534 Posts
Going from a 32h box section rim to a 36h of similar construction probably won't be much more than a subtle difference.
I'd venture to say that you'd notice it more going the other way; going to a 20/24h on one of my road bikes "woke up" the ride and handling, compared to the 32h wheels it originally rolled on. Probably most due to the 30mm deep "semi-aero" WH500 hoops compared to the box section Sun A113s
I'd venture to say that you'd notice it more going the other way; going to a 20/24h on one of my road bikes "woke up" the ride and handling, compared to the 32h wheels it originally rolled on. Probably most due to the 30mm deep "semi-aero" WH500 hoops compared to the box section Sun A113s
