[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

273.0. "Bladed Spokes" by VAXINE::POLLARD () Fri Apr 17 1987 20:58

    A question for the wheel experts...
    
    I'm about to build what is only my third pair of wheels.  These are 
    for a friend who REALLY wants bladed spokes and aero rims.  I'm not 
    prepared to start filing away at his hubs, so DT bladed spokes 
    are out.  I've seen advertisements for bladed spokes that attach to 
    the hub flange with a hook rather than a button, eliminating the need 
    to file wider spoke holes.  If these work at all, will they last or
    stay true?  The wheels will be used by a 135 pound rider for
    triathlons and few bike-only races at Billerica and Newton.
    
    	How about blades on the front and round spokes on the rear?
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
273.1TALLIS::JBELLWot's..Uh the Deal?Fri Apr 17 1987 21:1316
    I've never used bladed spokes, but I can guess...
    
    One thing with which you might have trouble, is twisting of the
    spoke.  I don't expect it to be a major problem, just remember to
    oil the threads, and also remember that a quarter turn at the
    nipple is not a quarter turn at the threads.
    
    I don't think that the hooked spokes will slip any.  In fact, some
    authors recommend carrying hooked spokes in a group repair kit.  The
    idea is that you get the longest spoke that you can buy, and cut
    the knob off.  If you break a spoke, you can put the zig-zag bend
    in the right place depending on what kind of wheel it is,  They
    also claimed that you could get it behind a freewheel, but I am
    skeptical.
    
    -Jeff Bell
273.2twisting should not be a problemDEBIT::FISHERMon Apr 20 1987 17:4015
    Spoke twisting is always a problem but with bladed spokes it's always
    easy to tell which spokes are twisted and to untwist them.  Usually
    that means overtightening the nipple by up to a quarter turn and
    then backing it off.
    
    If you don't get them tensioned right I think they come undone faster
    than round spokes but that's just from obvservation of a very small
    sample.  As for how long they last when done right, as long as any
    wheel if not longer.  I have over 2000 miles on a pair built with
    bladed hooked spokes purchased from Performance since the last time
    they were trued and they haven't moved any.  3X rear, 2X front.
    
    I weigh over 170 lbs.
    
    ed
273.3"Z" bend spokesMIST::IVERSONThere's a seeker born every minuteMon Apr 20 1987 19:0815
    re.1 subject: "Z" bend spokes
    >can get it behind the freewheel, but I am skeptical.
                                 
    Both personal experience and friends' usage of Z bends for *spare*
    spokes has shown them to be an effective replacement for freewheel
    side spokes. I have known of a person that rode several hundred
    miles in Europe with 60 lb. panniers on 6 Z bends while looking
    for replacements. 
    
    Hooked spokes *may* give you some trouble holding the spokes in
    place while building a wheel made entirely out of hooked spokes
    until you get some tension on the wheel.
    
    Thom
     
273.4Gracias!VAXINE::POLLARDTue Apr 21 1987 18:081
    Thanks for the advice.  Here goes the order to Performance...