[SOil]

I need to buy a new set of wheels, and I got thinking about hubs, and flange spacing in particular.

In most hubs the flanges are spaced out in such a way that the rim will not be in the middle of both flanges, but closer to one of them.

I came across some hubs that have the flanges positioned differently so that the rim is symmetrically positioned in the middle of the flanges. They claim that this builds a stronger wheel.
It does also reduced the angle at wich the spokes reach the rim. Isn't this going to reduce wheel strength?

So wich configuration will provide the stronger wheel?
Does anyone have experience with the "symmetrical" flanged hubs?

Thanks

 

[alexchannell]

Yes, that hub will be weaker (from the aspect of sideways force onthe wheel). there is no advantage to that design besides equal length spokes. - design engineer

 

[davep]

Yes, that hub will be weaker (from the aspect of sideways force onthe wheel). there is no advantage to that design besides equal length spokes. - design engineer

Equal spoke tension. 'Normal' rear hubs have dramatically different tensions R to L. The idea is OK, that is to equalize the tension, by equalizing the spoke angle, BUT they went the wrong way. Now both sides have the high tension and bad angle that was only on the drive side of a 'normal' hub.

I agree..bad!

 

[SOil]

Equal spoke tension. 'Normal' rear hubs have dramatically different tensions R to L. The idea is OK, that is to equalize the tension, by equalizing the spoke angle, BUT they went the wrong way. Now both sides have the high tension and bad angle that was only on the drive side of a 'normal' hub.

I agree..bad!

You say they went the wrong way, but I guess that's the only way you could go. So I guess equalizing spoke tension is not viable?

 

[ÆX]

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=190125

good read.

get a ss rear and run 5 wide spaced cogs makes for a light strong wheel.

 

[sanjuro]

Just for comparison between an excellent hub/wheel company and a lousy one.

BTW, the 440 is a 150mm hub, vs what looks like a 135mm hub...

 

[ÆX]

tell me what you are compairing?

both are narrow flange widths?

 

[sanjuro]

Well, on the 440 150mm hub, both flanges are 25.5mm away from the center.

On their 135mm hub, the left flange is 33.75mm away vs 19.5 for the right.

Now the argument is whether the 8mm of distance from the left flange-to-center (or difference between 50mm from the left axle nut vs 33.75) the makes a difference in wheelbuilding?

 

[shiggy]

You say they went the wrong way, but I guess that's the only way you could go. So I guess equalizing spoke tension is not viable?

I agree. While having a dishless wheel with even spoke tension is the goal you can not do it at the expense of the lateral bracing angle of the spokes.

 

[w00dy]

I don't think the designer of the symetech hubs has a firm grasp on wheel design.