Twisted Spoke Wheel Designs - Are they safe?

Bhima
Bhima Posts: 2,145
edited March 2009 in Workshop
Stuff like this:

F1PSSTUOOREP27XH8W.LARGE.jpg

FF0OHJ4UR6EP27QVTC.MEDIUM.jpg




Safe???

Would it make truing the wheel harder?

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    point less. heavier but different.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Bhima
    Bhima Posts: 2,145
    Pointless, I know, but a mountain-biking mate is going to try it on his spare wheels and i'm just concerned that they may be weaker - especially when he's going downhill over rocky ground etc... :?
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    you wont be on it so dont worry.

    lets say this I will not build any for anyone and if he is running discs then he could have problems. As they are not as strong as a "normal" pattern.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • balthazar
    balthazar Posts: 1,565
    I made some like that once. Funny! Should be worn with purple lycra for full effect. As was said, it's functionally pointless but not unsafe. Durability probably nosedives, because of all the extra bends.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Doing it with an existing wheel might be tricky because the spokes might not be long enough - 'snowflake' is the commonly used term. Looking a the angle of spoke pull, I'd expect them to be less stiff than a conventional 3-cross and doing a spoke replacement would be a pain.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..