|   Advantages of 32Hole v. 36Hole <nm> | Newbie Guy
Nov 25, 2002 10:14 AM | | |
| Less weight. Little strength loss. More aero... | shiggy
Nov 25, 2002 10:41 AM | | ...32 spokes cost less than 36. |
| fewer nips to twist, potentially higher max tension per spoke | Seb
Nov 25, 2002 12:12 PM | | Fewer nips = faster building and truing, though maybe less fine control over local adjustments
Since a rim can only take so much inword load, fewer spokes means each spoke can be placed under more tension. Insuffcient tension can cause nipples to looses, and can accelerate spoke fatigue greatly. This probably would not be a factor on MTB wheels, which have sturdy 26" rims and 135mm hubs. But on rear road wheels it is entirley possible for the rear left spokes to be too loose and the right spokes already are so tight they risk collapsing some lightweight rims. In that case, 36 spokes are gonna perform even worse than 32, because you can put about 10% more tension on 32 spokes without collapsing the rim. |
| My road wheels.............. | Mike T.
Nov 25, 2002 1:46 PM | | ....have been going since 1986 with 36 spokes and have not had the problems you describe. |
| That's "progress" for yah | Seb
Nov 26, 2002 7:14 AM | | I didn't mean to imply that all or even most 36 spoke road wheel builds would have a problem with insuffcient NDS tension. A proper 36 spoke design can undoubtedly avoid the problem, if just by using thinner (more elastic) spokes. Generally, using 36 spokes increases durability compared to 32.
I just meant to say that higher maximum left side tension is a potential advantage for some 32 spoke wheel designs vs 36 spoke designs using the same rim. |
| Cheaper by 4x $0.75. nmm | Mike T.
Nov 25, 2002 1:43 PM | | |
| Something that you need to know is... | hardtailTrauma
Nov 25, 2002 1:57 PM | | the 36° wheel is a carry over from old-school cycling when spokes where not as good as they are today, and many and perhaps most of the rims were far worse than those of today.
While it may still find some applicability for touring and tandem uses, to name the obvious uses that I know of, the traditional style 36° wheel is no longer needed for many riders, road or mountain. While it will be a slightly stronger wheel when compared to a traditional 32°, the differences are generally not significant, especially if you are using good quality wheel components. |
| re: Advantages of 32Hole v. 36Hole | tjl
Dec 5, 2002 9:40 PM | | Note that the rear wheel is weaker than the front wheel due to the dish. It also carries more weight, and, on hardtail bikes, does not have a suspension to cushion it. So it may make sense to have 32 front, 36 rear. |
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