Wheels Good deal for set of steel wheels

When I had my new rims threaded at the bike shop, the guy said that 14g was fine because they were high quality spokes $1.00 each. He knew they were for a motorized bike too. Would good quality 14g spokes be as good or better than 12g spokes? My wheels only have 32 spokes as well.
 
More variables in that equation than what you told us Fletch.

This is too general of information. "Rims threaded"(are both 32, do you mean laced, is it a bored out rim, steel, aluminum, width, brand, tires, psi, etc), "High Quality = 1$" (aluminum, steel, cost of spoke and nipple or just spoke, brand name).

Is it rag joint, disc brake, hybriped, threaded?

I couldn't say myself, but talk to a wheel guy and he'd be able to on this one, but what's the lacing pattern? That's gonna make a difference.

Also, what kind of rim, what "kind" of spokes? Are your spokes tapered at different points?

Does your bike repair man have a motorized bike? Lets be honest - he's got spandex in his fanny pack. :D I kid, but I digress. Unless he's a motorized rider, he doesn't know what's best for you, and unless he knows what your sprocket setup is, he can't say for sure what setup is going to be best for you. He very well could have just been doing a simple style build and needing to make that sale for the month.

I've seen people who are hardcore about one way or the other. There's just different qualities about each G. Less tension, More tension, More strength, Less Strength, More maintenance, Less maintenance... Depends on all those variables as to what your build's qualities are.

If I gave you a flat out answer, I'd be lying to you. It wouldn't even be an opinion, as without knowing more info, it's not even an educated guess.
 
Hey, has anyone tried out those Velocity wheels with the 105 guage spokes from GEBE?
 
velocity rims

I built a pair of deep dish Velocity rims with old school Campy hubs but I haven't got a bike to set them up with yet. If their like the ones I set up they are a really good set of hoops.

As for spokes the main thing is how well the wheel is built. I have seen some super strong wheels built with very light gage spoke. double butted 14-16 with super light sew up rims that were able to take thousands of miles of world class racing(different time different job) and I have seen some "super strong" wheels fall apart after a few hours of riding.

I crashed one of my old road bikes up on the hill and the first thing I did when I got up out of the ditch was to spin the front wheel, it was true but the forks and the frame were bent. I kept that pair of wheels for years after that.

To me wheel building is a art, you never get to the point were you can't do a better job I have been doing it for a long time and I am still learning.

mike
 
I'm not even going to try the art myself...lol. The drive ring on the GEBE system tends to flex lighter guage spokes when applying or releasing torque from the engine. And when you bend a piece of steel back and fourth enough times....time to replace yet another spoke! arrrrrg. I hate that job! I have some 10 guage spokes that "The Wheelmaster" laced together with my rim and hub for me over three years ago, but the hub is shot now. I'm thinking the 105 guage are just slightly thinner than the 10 guage. (105 is the size of the thickest string on my bass guitar..lol). I was just wondering if anyone has actually tried out the Velocity rear wheels with the 105's on them as offered from GEBE.
 
Well, the thicker the spoke, the less vibration dampening there is. That's going to lead to broken spokes and certain spokes to start backing out causing your tire to just get wobbly.

ESPECIALLY when you're using the stock ragjoint kit for the inframe HT motors.
 
Yeah..I'm referring to a Golden Eagle Rackmount kit. Oddly enough, after well over 3 years, I've had no trouble with my setup....except a worn out set of cone and cup bearings. The spokes performed very well. Still true and round, (after having to straighten the rim a couple times). With the stock 14 guage spokes, I had nothing but problems...spoke breakage in particular. I'm just considering replacing the back wheel with the Velocity w/105 guage spokes, (recommended by GEBE), and was asking if anyone has tried one. ;)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I went a different route

I used a Shimano six bolt disk hub and got an adapter and drive ring from Kings Cycle. It's an expensive way to go, But I don't brake spokes.

It took him a long time to ship it (maybe I was just too inpatient) but when it showed up it worked since then. I also went with a slightly smaller cog, a 36 instead of a 44, so it goes a little faster:devilish:.

Since there is nothing touching the spokes I think it makes for a stronger wheel.
 
Since there is nothing touching the spokes I think it makes for a stronger wheel.

I've killed many back wheels, and in every case it's always been due to the ragjoint setup. Every broken spoke has always been on the drive sprocket side, not a single one has ever broken on the pedal chain side. I've only been using my new setup (threaded sprockets for pedal and motor, nothing touching the spokes) for less than a month, but I'm very certain it's going to last me a long time.
 
Back
Top