Wheel stiffness: Thick spokes v's fat rims ?

[mikesnowdon]

Hi all.

I have a question on wheel stiffness. My current wheels are a mis-match Front is Mavic XC717 with DT rev double butted spokes. Rear is Mavic XM317 with plain gauge stainless spokes. This makes the rear very stiff and I like that but its also heavy compared to the front. I'd like to save some retational weight but still retain some of the stiffness.

So do I:

A, Change the spokes to DT rev's like the front has?

or,

B, Change the rim to a XC717 to match the front, keeping the plain gauge spokes?

 

[Russell]

The extra weight of your rear wheel is in your spokes and the rear hub, there is only a few grams difference between those rims.

DT Revs are light, maybe 150/200g lighter than the spokes holding your rear wheel together.

You could get your rear wheel re-built with lighter spokes and drop the best part of half a pound.

 

[mikesnowdon]

Wow didnt realise it was that much. What about the stifness though, I mean side to side stiffness (lateral is it?)? Is it the fat spokes or the slightly beefier rim that affects this more?

 

[Russell]

Like I said, there is no real difference in the weight of those two rims, maybe 15/20 grams max according to 'weight weenies'.

Wheels built with butted spokes are less stiff than those built with plain gauge by around 10%. Obviously other factors come into play such as the quality of the build and the profile of the rim.

If your rear wheel feels stiffer, its largely because of the PG spokes and possibly because the rear rim, whilst being of pretty much equal weight to the front has a profile more suited to resisting lateral force.

 

[mikesnowdon]

Thanks for the info

 

[dbmtb]

More spokes. stronger rim, thinner spokes

Is stronger/stiffer than

Less spokes, same rim, thicker spokes.

Personally swear by DT Revs and Competitions. Very rarely use plain gauge spokes.

 

[sancho]

Put revos on the non-drive side and leave the drive side as is--best of both worlds.

 

[stuey]

iirc - Swaged / butted spokes have higher tension than 'thick' spokes so they make a tighter/stiffer/stronger wheel.

 

[MikeD]

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/rinard/wheel/index.htm

 

[stuey]

MikeD - a very informative article
- I wasn't thinking 'lateral' ;-)

I think tyre size and pressure have a big effect too.