Radial lace front wheel?

[grogee]

Is it ok to radial lace a front mtb wheel (non disc, obviously)? Any reason why I shouldn't?

It's a NOS FIR rim on a shimano alvio 32h hub

 

[Rob H]

Re:

Depends on what you're riding, radial lacing is marginally lighter but not as strong as other lacing patterns.

 

[Boomshanka]

Re:

I had a mate build me a front 32h radially spoked wheel with a Mavic 231TIB Rim on a Pace RC50 hub in about 96, well used for a few years and stored for a few more and it is still true despite a big hit which dented the rim itself slightly. So I would say yes.

Mike

 

[jimo746]

Re:

Radial front wheel is fine.
Half radial (on the non-drive side) rear wheel should be ok too, I've seen it done before.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

No reason why not for general use with your setup.

I have two or three of them.

 

[02gf74]

Yrs, i had bontrager wheels(rim brake) that was radial on front and nondrive rear radial.

Just looked at mavic slr, disc brakes, rear is radiak on drive side, otherwise is 2 cross, inc front.

If you can build a wheel properly i.e. true with even tensioned spokes, then go ahead else leave it for the experts or go 2/3 cross.

 

[ultrazenith]

I was told that radial lacing is a bit risky when using a CNC machined hub, or a hub that has been laced previously, due the higher risk of cracking/snapping the flange.

 

[FluffyChicken]

I was told that radial lacing is a bit risky when using a CNC machined hub, or a hub that has been laced previously, due the higher risk of cracking/snapping the flange.

This is a Shimano Alivio hub though.
It's not lightweight, it's not cnc machined from a lump of metal to within an um of its life.

 

[Antstark]

Re:

I would agree with Fluffy...any Shimano hubs have enough strength to take it. I would never build radial wheels on boutique hubs (Ringle etc) back in the day and 20 years on I would be even less inclined to do so, NOS or not. Gotta agree they look cool!

 

[Remko]

Re:

Rode a Mavic 231 on a Machinetech hub radial front wheel for years. No front suspension. No problem.