What would happen to a wheel with multiple gear cogs (not an internally geared hub) that was built radial on the right side and crossed on the left side. Physics would cause the torque to be transferred to the left side spokes, since the radially spoked right side is incapable of transmitting torque (if I understand correctly).
Jason Cloutier
Pawtucket, RI
velo59@yahoo.com
> Mike,
>
> No, I'm not interested in opening the proverbial
> "worm can" on this, but I
> have to take issue with what you had to say
> regarding the use of different
> crossing patterns on rear wheels.
>
> The LH spokes of a (multi-speed) rear wheel do very
> little to effect torque
> transmission, due to their inherently lower tension
> and steeper angles. They
> do give support laterally, but the rear wheel will
> stand or fall on the
> merits of the RH spoking which takes nearly the
> amount of torque stress
> (regardless of the pattern of the LH spokes) which
> of course varies by how
> hard the pedals get "mashed" as well as the
> technique of the "masher".
>
> As far as the "spring" effect for the LH spokes in
> relation to the RH spokes
> is concerned, what is the purpose of the rear wheel?
> In addition to holding
> up the bike (along with the front wheel of course)
> it must transmit the
> torque and the LH spokes aren't playing a role in
> this, which is why you can
> lace the LH side radially and not have a
> self-destructing rear wheel (e.g.,
> Mavic, Spinergy, Campy, Zipp....more I suppose?) in
> 500 miles or less!
> Spring effect of the left has no "real world"
> relationship with stress and
> power transmission for the RH spokes. If it did, we
> would never see the LH
> spokes of a rear wheel radially laced. When a
> wheelbuilder builds a wheel,
> he/she doesn't want the spokes to bend! If we did,
> we would use low spoke
> tension, but that IS the recipe for disaster in a
> wheel build.
>
> Torque is more efficiently transferred with a 4x
> pattern (drive side) as the
> lever arm (spoke) is 90o to the hub axis. 3x is
> also very good, and these
> days with materials being so much better that 20-30
> years ago, there really
> is no need for 4x (and 36o hubs!) wheels except
> tandems and fully laden
> touring bicyles.
>
> Your argument against fewer crosses on the LH side
> is not supported by the
> reference to 8-10 speed wheels...."...radial
> non-drive pattern on 8-10 sp
> wheels actually works pretty well." By "works
> pretty well" I am assuming you
> mean "does not collapse"? I think I have addressed
> why they do not collapse,
> but consider the following: We never see the RH
> spokes laced radially as
> they would have no wind-up under load (pedaling) and
> the fatigue factor would
> be enormous. Even the new (trendy?) wheels from
> Mavic, et. al., restrict the
> radial laced spokes to the non-drive side. This
> tells me that the spoke
> configuration of the LH side is of little importance
> and my expereince (and
> experimentation) has indicated the same.
>
> As I mentioned in my previous response to Sterling,
> I generally do 4x on the
> RH (rear) whenever I am able to do so. Small flange
> hubs are not well suited
> for this, but it can be done with a little care. I
> do the LH spoking (3x;
> 2x; 1x) in whatever I feel like and by what spokes I
> happen to have on hand.
> I like to do 4x/2x as I like the pattern as viewed
> from the right-side to the
> left-side of the wheel, and I think that 4x looks
> more "classical".
>
> While there is much room for debate on the value of
> symmetrical vs.
> non-symmetrical lacing, rims, hubs, crossing
> patterns, tying/soldering, etc.,
> I think that the majority of wheel builders will
> agree that the most
> important things are good materials, high/even spoke
> tension and expereince.
>
> Hope this adds more light than "darkness"!!
>
> By the way, I'm glad Bicycle Classics, Inc. is
> back!!! (I need some things!)
>
> Chuck Brooks
> Malta (will spring never really arrive?) NY
>
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