Brucey wrote:radial wheels are as old as the hills; vs. tangent spoking, they are thought lighter and stiffer......
cheers
Is that only thought or actual?
I've never understood the need for them myself,my logical mind says,yes the spokes are longer in conventional 3cross spoking,but does that contribute that much to make a wheel less stiff as to actually matter?
And can they be that much lighter to make any real difference outside of racing or really fast riding ie;18mph+ averages?
It's a similar arguement with minimum spoking.
Presumably the advantage is purely aerodynamics,as anything gained with less spokes is lost with heavier gauge spokes and or rims would even things out weight wise.
I can understand the need for a more reliable spoke hence straight pulls,which it seems,according to posters on this thread and I've no reason to doubt them,if the correct formula is reached ie; straight pull,heavier gauge spokes,and heavier rims.the wheels will be reliable.
But I'm still left asking two questions;
a)where's the gain for most riders whose averages aren't over
say 18mph+
b)ride ruination,and possible dangerous wheel lock up,should a spoke let go.
My conclusion is that they aren't worth the risk,perhaps I may have reached a different conclusion if I'd had Big Foz's experience.
Though TBH in a situation where I was breaking spokes in 36 spoke wheel my logical conclusion would've been to up the spoke count not reduce it.