disc wheel spoke count?

[Dennis]

Ok, so I am going to build up a set of disc wheels using Velocity Deep V rims for my new hardtail. (btw - I am going to go with a Fox fork so the custom painted carbon xlink with new smartshock -fork has less than 25 miles on it - is for sale)
anyway, I know this has been discussed before, but should I go with 32 or 36 hubs.
thanks for a quick reply to this one, want to get hubs ordered this weekend.
[smiley=groucho.gif]

[Simon]

32, 36 is overkill unless your full on DH er.Simon [smiley=nod.gif]

[Matno]

Now that I've spent some time on my 28 spoked Bontrager disc wheels, I'm kicking myself for having 32 spokes on my road bike. Unless you're really hard on wheels or just big (I'd say over 175), even 32 is probably just added security. The weight weenie in me longs for 16 spoked wheels...

36 spokes on one wheel is just ridiculous. I don't care who you are, you don't need them. If you can damage a 36 spoked wheel (in ways that are the direct result of weak spokes) you probably need to look into motorcycles...

Unfortunately, I think the rear wheel on my latest eBay conquest has that many! (At least that's what the picture looks like on the auction) Yikes! That may have to be sold soon!

[Jeff77]

Well, I am not so sure on this one. I believe it would depend on the spokes you are using. A 36 spoke wheel with x-ray or revolution spokes would be lighter than 32 spoke wheels with standard DB or straight gauge spokes. Dave Thomas at speeddream.com has some interesting articles on wheels on his website alluding to this fact and he has a good reputation for building wheels. I personally am not sure, but I am tending toward building a 36 spoke wheel (rear) myself, with Sapan X-rays this spring... Hopefully light and stiff...

[Old Proflexer]

i prefer 16

http://idriders.com/cgi-bin/album_k2.pl?photo=Old_Proflexer/959_wheels.jpg


OP

[Matno]

Hard to beat those for sheer cool looks!   And I hear they're actually quite tough, though not as light as one would expect.

Someday I WILL have a 5 inch travel very durable bike that weighs less than 23 lbs. It's only a matter of time (and money).