CJ wrote:Jezrant wrote:Whether he needs single-butted or heavier gauge spokes on the right-hand side of the rear wheel is debatable. It certainly doesn't guarantee a better built wheel.
There are two factors in a good wheel: the craft skills of a good builder and the engineering science of good design. A good builder can largely compensate for poor design and a well designed wheel can last okay despite poor building, but when you're paying what it costs for a hand-built wheel you really want
both to be right.
The last thing you want is a debate regarding the design of your wheel with the craftsman who'll build it. Better go to one who's happy to take instruction from those who
do understand why it makes good engineering sense to have more metal where tensions are higher!
Chris, this is getting a bit off topic, but it's an interesting discussion.
There's theory and then there's reality.
First, few cyclists have the required background in engineering to be able to discuss such fine details with their local bike shop without sounding like a tosser.
Second, mechanics have been building good wheels for decades by getting the tensioning right without needing to resort to single butted spokes, offset rims, etc. That's not to say that traditional techniques cannot be improved.
Third, while there are general principles of design that everyone agrees on, there is hardly a consensus among wheelbuilders about the finer details you're going on about.
Finally, if a cyclist is so knowledgeable about how to build a wheel, s/he should leave their poor lbs alone and build the wheels themselves.
Doubt, though, that he was still using straight gauge spokes after double butted became de rigueur in racing circles in the 1970s.