Did any manufacturer ever try using more, but lighter spokes to minimize weight?

Asked by: Brenda Evans

How much weight do double butted spokes save?

Replacing 32 straight gauge spokes with double-butted spokes gives almost the same benefit of 36 straight gauge spokes, but for about 70 grams less. The extent to which load is shared between neighboring spokes depends on the ratio between the rim stiffness and the spoke stiffness.

Are double butted spokes lighter?

Double butted spokes are lighter than straight gauge and offer better ride qualities due to a more flexible center section. Double butted spokes are generally very strong, however spokes with 1.5mm center sections can be challenging to build at higher tension due to twisting.

What is a tangentially spoked wheel?

Tangential & Radial Spokes



Most bicycles have tangential spokes, meaning that the spokes do not connect from the hub to the rim in a straight line, but at an angle. There are many different patterns of tangential spokes. Occasionally bicycles will have completely radial spokes.

Why the spokes of a cycle wheel do not buckle although their bunch gets buckle?

Spokes are very strong in tension, and the axle effectively hangs from the top spokes. In compression they buckle very easily, which is why they are constantly under tension.

How much lighter are titanium spokes?

At a mere 2.6 grams each, these titanium spokes allow substantial weight savings on a complete wheelset, and are a great option for climbing-specific road wheelsets and cross-country mountain wheelsets alike.

How much do titanium spokes weigh?

We have measured a set of 36 titanium spokes which came in at 100.8 grams and a set of 36 stainless steel spokes which came in at 166.8 grams.

Which spokes are the strongest?

UHMWP is the strongest material on the planet on a per-weight basis. Its popularity stems from its extremely light weight and famous resistance to abrasion, impact, corrosion, and UV damage.

Are bladed spokes stronger?

The bladed spokes are typically stronger than the butted spokes because the blade is the result of an additional forging process over the butted spoke. Spoke threads are rolled and not tapped. Rolling results in a stronger and more precise thread.

Are bladed spokes better?

Bladed spikes offer no aero advantage. They do offer a wheelbuilder a much easier time of spoke tensioning as they can see when the spoke twists instead of the nipper tightening. Cross wind susceptibility is increased with bladed spokes too.

What is a wagon spoke?

The radial members of a wagon wheel were made by carving a spoke (from a log) into their finished shape. A spokeshave is a tool originally developed for this purpose. Eventually, the term spoke was more commonly applied to the finished product of the wheelwright’s work, than to the materials they used.

Do spokes matter?

Is there a significant difference made when it comes to the number of spokes a car wheel has? In truth, the number of spokes a wheel has barely makes any difference really. The impact on the wheel’s weight, strength and aerodynamic performance will be minimal at best.

What is a 3 cross spoke pattern?

3-cross is one of the few terms in cycling that is used correctly. A 3-cross spoking pattern means that every single spoke crosses three other spokes on its journey between your hub flange and your rim. We generally call this style and other cross over methods of spoking as tangential spoking.

Are titanium spokes lighter?

Myth busted. The facts are clear, this Myth is busted! While titanium spokes are very light you could save additional weight, and money, by looking at DT Swiss’s Competition Race double butted spokes.

How much do spokes weight?

Typical applications range from mountain bikes, to road racing, to tandem and commuter use. Technical information: Weight: 32 spokes weigh 191g (32 x 264mm); 5.97g / spoke. Dimensions: Neck 2.0mm, Center 1.8mm, Thread 2.0mm 14g.

Are bladed spokes stronger?

The bladed spokes are typically stronger than the butted spokes because the blade is the result of an additional forging process over the butted spoke. Spoke threads are rolled and not tapped. Rolling results in a stronger and more precise thread.

How much do bike spokes weigh?

Technical information: Weight: 32 spokes weigh 191g (32 x 264mm); 5.97g / spoke. Dimensions: Neck 2.0mm, Center 1.8mm, Thread 2.0mm 14g.

What does double butted spokes mean?

Double-butted spokes: These are lightweight spokes that are thinner in the middle (e.g going from 2mm to 1.8mm and back to 2mm again) to save weight and reduce ride stiffness, without compromising on wheel strength.

What are triple butted spokes?

Triple butted spokes are thickest at the hub end, thinnest in the middle, and in between thicknesses at the rim. Triple butted spokes are mostly used in high load applications. Straight gauge spokes are one thickness straight the way through.

Are straight pull spokes stronger?

In practice there is no discernible difference in the strength and durability of a properly hand built J bend wheel and a straight pull one.

What is 12g spoke?

Measuring spokes



Using a Vernier caliper to measure spoke diameter. This is a spoke is 13g (2.3mm) Spoke diameters available are; 15g (1.8mm) 14g (2.0mm) 13g (2.3mm) 12g (2.6mm)