Spokes
About Spokes
There are different types of wheels for bicycles these days. None of them has been able to outgrow the popularity and acceptance of spoked wheels regardless. And every cycling enthusiast has an opinion about their favourite bicycle spokes.
The invention of the wheel changed the history of humanity forever. At first, they were just solid circular pieces of wood. But then people found out that using spokes, instead of a solid piece they can make wheels that are more efficient. They have been part of the first cycle ever created. And they have managed to stay relevant even to this day despite all the advancements in technology. To make an informed purchase for bike wheels, you need to know about the different types of spokes you can use in them. If you have been wondering about which type of spokes you should buy, this article will give you the definitive answer for it.
Common lacing patterns for bicycle wheel spokes
For somebody who is not that much into the world of cycling, it is hard to tell the difference between the different types of patterns. All they would see is a number of metal rods that go from the wheel hub to the rim. But there is some serious thought that has gone into how and where to put each one of the spokes. Here are the most common types of lacing patterns that you will find on bicycles. In this article, you will also find some practical tips and tricks that you can use to have a fantastic and quick online shopping experience. Let us explore some of the common lacing patterns first.
Radial
For those who want the very barebones pattern, then this is the ideal one. The main benefit of the radial pattern is that you can build a wheel using it with the minimum number of spokes. And a fewer number of them means less weight. Therefore, it is more common among racers who are looking for better performance and aerodynamic design. But as all of them are perpendicular to the wheel hub, this causes a lot of stress to the centre. So, the joint would need constant maintenance. You cannot use this pattern on the rear wheels as they do not hold up against rotational forces.
Three-cross
When naming the bicycle spoke patterns, people mostly use the number of times a spoke crosses the other ones. In a 3-cross pattern, a spoke will cross with three other spokes from the same flange as it. That means these three spokes will form an interwoven pattern on their way from the flange to the rim. As you can imagine, the spokes in this pattern are not at a 90-degree angle to the hub. A standard three-cross wheel will have 32 of them. This pattern is very solid and, therefore, is the default in consumer road bikes. Even though the pattern has more weight and increased air resistance, the ruggedness of the wheel is worth it for the average rider.
Two-cross
As the names suggest, a spoke crosses two other spokes from the same flange in this pattern. The benefit of the 2-cross pattern over the three cross patterns is weight reduction and improved aesthetics. In a standard two cross lacing, there will be only 24 spokes as opposed to the 32 in three-cross. Fewer spoke means that each of them would undergo more stress than in a three-cross pattern. This also means less work to fix the wheel. You will find this pattern in some road bike spokes. 2 cross patterns will give you enough strength for normal use. But you don’t want to use this for mountain bikes spokes.
Custom patterns
Apart from the standard lacing patterns, you will also find many custom ones. Custom spoke patterns do not have many functional advantages, though. Instead, custom patterns are all about style and making a statement. There is nothing stopping you from finding out unique patterns if you have imagination, enough time, and money to spend. You can also look on the internet to find cool patterns that other people have already figured out. But beware that some of these patterns will compromise reliability for novelty. So, decide how much risk you are willing to take before going for these wacky lacing patterns.
Tips on how to buy Bicycle Spokes
Because there are a few different types of patterns, you have to get a few things right to build a proper bicycle wheel. Now that you know about different types of lacing patterns, here are the tips you can follow while shopping for bicycle spokes.
- Choose your pattern – The first part of bicycle wheel building is to select the lacing pattern that you want. You should pick one that will suit your needs and how and where you use the bikes . If you are into off-road cycling, you need one that offers more strength. But if performance is what you want, look for a pattern with minimum weight and better aerodynamics.
- The number of spokes – Each type of pattern differs in the number of spokes. You have to make sure that you have the right number before lacing. And you will also need to keep one or two spares in case you break one while lacing.
- Type of spoke – Apart from a variety of patterns, there are a few different types of spokes too. These types include straight gauge, single butted, double-butted, aero bladed, straight-pull, stainless steel, etc.
- Gauge – The strength of a single spoke depends on its material and gauge. Straight gauge is the most common type. Some of them have different diameters near the butt and along the length. These special types of spokes are either used for performance cycles or for custom lacing patterns.
- Flanges – The wheel flanges should be compatible with your lacing pattern and the spoke type. In patterns that put more stress on the hub, the flanges should be rugged and durable. Another major factor is the single-flanged and double-flanged wheel hubs.
If you are not sure how to install the spokes, you will be able to find hundreds of DIY guides online. Fixing them is easy if you have the right kinds of tools. You can look for tools like wrenches, tie irons, wire cutters, and more on our product search engine . Some of the brands you can consider include Brooks, Chedan, Bavel, Goodyear, and Cannondale. Finally, keep the wheel clean from mud and water to avoid the formation of rust on the wheel.
Question & Answer
Can you ride a bike with a broken spoke?
Usually, all bike wheels are designed such that the wheel can carry the load even if one or two of the spokes are missing. So, there is nothing dangerous with you riding the bike with a broken or missing spoke. But as the number of spokes is reduced, the neighbouring spokes will take on extra tension. Therefore, you should fix the broken spoke as fast as you can. Also, remove the broken spoke before you ride further. Otherwise, it will wobble around with the wheel and get caught in something. When you are riding with a broken spoke, avoid riding aggressively to prevent further damage to the wheel.
What causes a bike spoke to break?
Although it is not uncommon for bicycle spokes to snap, if you are experiencing this often, there can be some underlying issue that is causing this. If the bike is very old or has put on a lot of kilometres, it can be that the spokes are experiencing mental fatigue; all your remaining ones will fail in no time. Another possible cause is uneven tension on them. This happens when the wheel hub or the rim has bent in them. Finally, this can happen if the spokes are made of low-quality steel and are not strong enough to bear the load. In that case, you will have to replace these bike parts with better ones.
How tight should bike spokes be?
You should tighten the spokes as much as you can with your hands. It is better to tighten the spokes to their maximum than to leave them loose. But there is a catch. For equal distribution of tension, you should make sure that all of the spokes have the same amount of tightness. It is an important factor to consider while tightening the spokes. You can use a spoke wrench to tighten them. Turn all the spokes at equal degrees to evenly distribute the tension. This process of making sure that the wheel is in proper shape and form is called truing.