Yes, it's simply the radial force of the spokes that holds the joint together. It's worthwhile to add some numbers to this. A little simple mechanics shows that the force on the joint is Fr/2*pi, where Fr is the total tension of the spokes. So, for a 36-spoke wheel, with 100 KGf tension in each spoke, you get 570 KGf of force on the joint, or, for us on the left side of the Atlantic, 1250 lbs. That oughta hold the sucker together!
Steve Maas Long Beach, California
Peter Jon White wrote:
> 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.