32h vs 36h...

[rosstheboss]

Crows foot? Is there anywhere I can see pictures?

P.s. I've got the hubs now - couldn't quite stretch to the mint Bullseye pair that went on ebay for £35

 

[oldave]

<boring>Old Raleighs were 32 front, 40 rear for this reason and because you could use one spoke length for each wheel.</boring>

Ideal weight distribution front rear (incl rider) 45/55 and 32/40 corresponds almost exactly with that ratio!

 

[P20]

You could lace them 2 cross, uses shorter spokes save a bit of weight.
Running 24 & 28 2 cross on the P20

 

[Xesh]

Crows foot?.......

Like this (as found on my SS and built by me).

It's laced using a combination of 3 cross and radial spokes.

 

[The Ken]

I run 36/36 on strong rims (231cd) after having a front 32 narrow rim collapse when it hit a small submerged rock when I was doing about 25/30 downhill.

the 36/36 231 set up is still fine after 18 years and several bashes although I did a rebuild on the rear about 4 years ago because the hub wore out. I can't remember the last time I trued them.

 

[one-eyed_jim]

I'll be building up another 40h rear wheel soon, just because the parts have all come my way cheaply. XT 732 hub, MAVIC 217 TIB rim, and forty of my precious Ritchey WCS light-gauge spokes, laced 4x.

To be honest, I haven't had a problem with 32 at the rear, but I like the idea of matching the wheels to the load carried. I often run a 28h front.

 

[The Ken]

my point was the load spread isn't as important on a mountain bike as the front wheel is generally the wheel that takes the big hits if riding rigid or retro suspension. For that reason it needs to be stronger.

 

[one-eyed_jim]

my point was the load spread isn't as important on a mountain bike as the front wheel is generally the wheel that takes the big hits if riding rigid or retro suspension.

That's true, but a front wheel is naturally stronger because the flanges are further apart than on a typical, dished rear.

In practice, I don't think it's really all that important. Most wheels are strong enough for the jobs they're asked to do, and the weight of an extra four (or even eight) spokes isn't going to make a difference, when all's said and done.

 

[DoctorRad]

If you're worried about strength, get a stronger rim.

...and/or reduce your wheel dish. Front wheels should be dishless unless you're using disc hubs.