Re: [CR] RE: Wheelbuilding

(Example: Production Builders:Teledyne)

Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2005 21:48:09 -0500
From: "Peter Jon White" <lists@peterwhitecycles.com>
To: Val and Kevin Ko <keiko5@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [CR] RE: Wheelbuilding
References: <MONKEYFOODox7nyeKzG0000165a@monkeyfood.nt.phred.org>
In-Reply-To:
cc: 'classicrendezvous' <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>

Val and Kevin Ko wrote:
> From: Peter Jon White <lists@peterwhitecycles.com>
> Subject: Re: [CR] Re:
> <http://search.bikelist.org/query.asp?SearchString=%22Re%3A++Wheelbuilding%2
> 2&SearchPrefix=%40msgsubject&SortBy=MsgDate%5Ba%5D> Wheelbuilding
>
> KO Kevin wrote:
>
> The way I learned decades ago was that crossing the seam keeps the seam
> pulled together, and was especially important on old Super Champion
> rims. Now this may be a myth, but since crossing the valve is only a
> slight (if any) inconvenience, I have always crossed the seam on 32-hole
> builds.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Oh, it's a myth all right. While the four spokes adjacent to the joint
> angle away from the joint in a 32 spoke wheel built in the normal
> fashion, the spokes just further away from the joint angle back across
> the joint. The combination of spokes angling one way and then the next
> is to place a radial loading on the rim which pulls the joint together.
> A properly tensioned 32 spoke wheel requires an enormous amount of force
> to move the joint.
>
> But one doesn't need to understand the theory of how a tensioned spoked
> wheel works. All one needs to do is observe the dearth of 32 spoke
> wheels using pinned joints pulling apart at said joints to know that
> it's a myth.
>
>
>
>
>
> I'm not sure it's a complete myth. If the rim were struck sharply on the
> seam (as in hitting a curb), I can visualize a crossed seam staying together
> better than an uncrossed one. No data, or even anecdotal evidence to
> support this. However, I also believe in chaos theory, that everything has
> an effect, and I can only conclude that crossing at the seam must have at
> least a marginally positive effect. If there is some marginal benefit (and I
> do believe there is) I'm inclined to seek out that benefit, especially when
> what I'm giving up is mere convenience, and even that is debatable, as
> crossed spokes has never kept me from inflating a tire.
>
>
>
> Now if someone can show me the negative effect of crossing the seam, I'll
> reconsider, but then that may force me to build 36-hole wheels with crossed
> valve-holes!
>
>
>
> Kevin

OK. Tomorrow morning when I build my first set of wheels of the day, I'll get in touch with my feelings about what spokes to use, what length, what lacing, what rims, and what hubs.

I'm sure the customer will share my feelings. ;-)

--
Peter Jon White
Peter White Cycles
24 Hall Rd.
Hillsborough, NH 03244
603 478 0900 Phone
603 478 0902 Phax
http://www.PeterWhiteCycles.com