Emanuel Lowi queried:
>What was the rational behind switching from HF to LF hubs
>in the late 70s - early 80s? Weight?
No, style.
It's not at all clear that they're any lighter, when you consider the
longer spokes are made of steel...
>I've always understood that HF hubs make for stronger
>wheels due to the shorter spokes.
Common folklore, no basis in fact.
David G. White wrote:
>I'm not an expert, but my understanding is that low flange hubs have
>two advantages: 1) lighter weight and 2) greater riding comfort due
>to the longer spokes providing greater flex thus absorbing rough
>road impacts better.
The riding comfort is often cited, but it is imaginary. Decent wheels have negligible "suspension" effect compared with tires, forks, handlebars, seatposts, saddles...
Brandon Ives wrote:
>As I understand it by the mid-70s you chose high-flange hubs for one
>of 3 reasons.
>1. You were riding the track and wanted a stiffer wheel.
High flange wheels are possibly slightly stiffer _laterally_. This
is of no concern for most riders, but can be an issue for track
sprinters.
>2. You were touring and wanted a better triangulation and dish of the spokes.
With the lower quality spokes commonly seen before DT came on the scene, there was probably some benefit there for touring bikes that put a LOT of torque on the wheel due to their low gearing.
3. You liked the looks.
Yep. Back in the '70s, I used to go for large flange in back, small flange in front, 'cause I bought into most of that folklore back in the day.
The wheelset on my Rambouillet is still that way, using old Record hubs I bought back in the '70s.
John Betmanis pondered:
>BTW, why is it that the English have always called them large flange (or
>wide flange) and small flange, and the Americans call them high flange and
>low flange? Re-inventing the wheel?
I don't know why either, but as a result, it is generally safest to avoid the abbreviation "LF" since it could describe either style!
Sheldon "Large And Small For Me" Brown
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