|   DT Plain Guage vs DT double butted | the4thdeadmonk
Jun 10, 2003 8:54 AM | | I have 32 hole hope big un hubs laced to 521s and have had a lot of problems with snapped/loose spokes. A lot of this is due to my riding, but whenever i rebuild i have the same quandary about spokes: Plain guage or Double Butted?
Plain guage seemed obvious, assuming they're no thinner than the double butted spokes. However someone mentioned that double butted spokes have more 'give' thus giving more protection from snapping...
With my limited grasp of structural engineering i found it hard to believe that butted spokes could be any better, but then i see pro wheelbuilders recommending them, why?
t4dm |
| re: DT Plain Guage vs DT double butted | CSB
Jun 10, 2003 10:06 AM | | Spokes nearly always break at either the elbow or the threads; when they break in the middle it is from external damage, like deep gouges from an overshifted chain, or from a manufacturing defect. The idea behind butted spokes is to focus the stress away from the elbow and threads and towards the thinner, more elastic middle section during every cycle of unloading/loading. Theoretically, it should make for a more durable wheel.
The other benefit with more elastic spokes (thinner, butted or both) is that (for a given rim and spoke tension) the load will be spead amongst more spokes which means each spoke unload less during each cycle which makes it more difficult for the spoke to go completely slack and the spoke nipple to loosen. In other words, the wheel is less likely to go out of true. |
| re: DT Plain Guage vs DT double butted | Dougal
Jun 10, 2003 2:29 PM | | There are two ways to look at butted spokes.
1. They're lighter for the same strength and life
2. They're stronger for the same weight.
The thinner middle section is more elastic than the ends. So the shock loads are taken by the centre and the ends are stronger and don't break. If strength is your game I'd recommend DT Alpine III's.
Dougal.co.nz |
| |
