Subject: Re: Wheel components Posted by: Steve Howells on March 08, 2000 at 11:47:51: In Reply to: Wheel components posted by John Marrocco on December 26, 1999 at 03:15:23:

Message: >I am building a wheelset with Campy 9-speed hubs and Sun ME14A rims. I want to use Wheelsmith 15 gauge > oval or 14/15DB spokes and aluminum nipples. I am going 28 front but unsure of whether 28 rear would be serviceable or if > I should go to 32 rear. Also I was going to do 2X in the front but unsure if I should go 2X or 3X in the rear. I am 170 lbs and not very hard on equipment. My goal is for a relatively lightweight, every day wheelset. Any > recommendations are appreciated. >Thanks very much. John Dear John, With the heavy dish on a 9 speed rear wheel 32 spokes would be a lot better. Having less spokes can slow you down (not often mentioned) because the flex which occurs due to spoke stretch is your wasted energy. Obviously long term reliablility is even more of an issue. Cross 2 drive is not recommended (by us anyway), the ideal is 3 cross drive and 2 non. It helps slightly with the tension differences. Radial non drive is ok but if you do get a loose spoke it causes a lot more damage. Indurain used that when we discussed wheel building with his builder in Majorca, however he had his wheels checked every day! Steve Howells www.sdeals.com