Interesting Wheelbuild

Brian O. · 2007-02-21, 10:56 PM

I found this picture over on a bike trials forum someone linked to here on the forums. Has anyone ever seen a wheel build like this and exactly how weak would it be? Apparently they used to do it on downhill bikes in the 90s:

Brian MacKenzie · 2007-02-21, 11:15 PM

there are equal weighted discussions on those lacing options, each offering their own strength/weakness arguments...i don't remember hearing any actual test results though

they sure look neat though!

johnfoss · 2007-02-22, 12:00 AM

I remember seeing lacing like this on cycleball bikes also Cycleball is kind of a soccer/football game on bikes, with two players on each team. The playing area is about the size of a tennis court with a roughly hockey-sized goal at each end. Players use the bike to bat the ball around. Since players often get shoulder-to-shoulder while jockeying for the ball, and you could hear their spokes twanging against each other, I figured this might make the spokes more resistant to breaking from objects catching in them.

As for making the wheel stronger overall, I kind of doubt it for any general purpose, or you'd be able to buy wheels built that way from the factory. Possibly it offers advantages for specialized uses.

john_childs · 2007-02-22, 12:30 AM

One of the German riders has a trials unicycle with that spoke lacing.

There are other similar spoke lacings that twist the spokes. BMXers sometimes do wheel builds like that. One reason is because that style of lacing pulls the spokes inwards so the spokes are less likely to get scraped up during a grind.

I don't know if that style of build actually makes the wheel stronger. It does make them unique and that is a benefit itself.

wickedbob · 2007-02-22, 12:33 AM

It has to be somewhat stong (not saying that type is stronger or not I have no idea) considering it is on a trials bike they do some extreme stuff.

Blegas78 · 2007-02-22, 12:40 AM

Looks like there's a small flat spot near the top.

ThisGuyIKnow · 2007-02-22, 12:41 AM

I am more curious about the pedal set up? Is that a bike without a seat meant entirely for stand up riding?

trials_uni · 2007-02-22, 12:42 AM

Its called twist lacing...It looks sweet but i hear that its not as strong as a well built 3 cross.

@ this guy... its a trials bike...You dont do alot of sitting.

koebwil · 2007-02-22, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThisGuyIKnow

I am more curious about the pedal set up? Is that a bike without a seat meant entirely for stand up riding?

it's a trials bike.

ThisGuyIKnow · 2007-02-22, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trials_uni

Its called twist lacing...It looks sweet but i hear that its not as strong as a well built 3 cross.

@ this guy... its a trials bike...You dont do alot of sitting.

So it just doesn't have a seat?

Blegas78 · 2007-02-22, 12:51 AM

Ok, I think that the overall wheel might be weaker, but it is far less easy to damage an individual spoke, hence the reason that they might be used for special cases where a stronger wheel might not be necessary.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThisGuyIKnow

So it just doesn't have a seat?

A seat would most likely get in the way and add unnecessary weight.

trials_uni · 2007-02-22, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThisGuyIKnow

So it just doesn't have a seat?

No its a special trials specific frame...And since most trials riders spend little to no time on their seats they save a few grams by eliminating the seat tube.

Borgschulze · 2007-02-22, 12:56 AM

I was looking at that bike earlier today on Observed Trials. I was very interested in the strength of that lacing.

maestro8 · 2007-02-22, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borgschulze

I was looking at that bike earlier today on Observed Trials. I was very interested in the strength of that lacing.

I was looking at a cloud outside my window. I was very interested in what the weather would be like in a couple hours.

boo radley · 2007-02-22, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maestro8

I was looking at a cloud outside my window. I was very interested in what the weather would be like in a couple hours.

great story!

2007-02-21, 10:56 PM	#1
Brian O. Team Spencer Photographer Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,868	Interesting Wheelbuild I found this picture over on a bike trials forum someone linked to here on the forums. Has anyone ever seen a wheel build like this and exactly how weak would it be? Apparently they used to do it on downhill bikes in the 90s: __________________ Get cool unicycle posters, pins and more! All products are my personal photography. * New Poster 11/16/2010 *

2007-02-21, 11:15 PM	#2
Brian MacKenzie If I hear that tune one more time.. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Age: 38 Posts: 3,373	there are equal weighted discussions on those lacing options, each offering their own strength/weakness arguments...i don't remember hearing any actual test results though they sure look neat though! __________________ UnicycleGlidecam.com RoundCircleMedia.com Last edited by Brian MacKenzie; 2007-02-21 at 11:16 PM.

2007-02-22, 12:00 AM	#3
johnfoss North Shore ridin' Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Carmichael, CA Posts: 14,933	I remember seeing lacing like this on cycleball bikes also Cycleball is kind of a soccer/football game on bikes, with two players on each team. The playing area is about the size of a tennis court with a roughly hockey-sized goal at each end. Players use the bike to bat the ball around. Since players often get shoulder-to-shoulder while jockeying for the ball, and you could hear their spokes twanging against each other, I figured this might make the spokes more resistant to breaking from objects catching in them. As for making the wheel stronger overall, I kind of doubt it for any general purpose, or you'd be able to buy wheels built that way from the factory. Possibly it offers advantages for specialized uses. __________________ John Foss "jfoss" at "unicycling.com" www.unicycling.com "Unicycling is a way of looking at the world, making a choice to slow down, finish what you start, doing things not because they're easy, but because they're a challenge." -- Nurse Ben

2007-02-22, 12:30 AM	#4
john_childs Guinness Mojo Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Portland, Oregon USA Posts: 12,420	One of the German riders has a trials unicycle with that spoke lacing. There are other similar spoke lacings that twist the spokes. BMXers sometimes do wheel builds like that. One reason is because that style of lacing pulls the spokes inwards so the spokes are less likely to get scraped up during a grind. I don't know if that style of build actually makes the wheel stronger. It does make them unique and that is a benefit itself. __________________ john_childs (att) hotmail (dott) com Team Never Wash Your Muni My Gallery :: Unicycling Bookmark List :: World Clock

2007-02-22, 12:40 AM	#6
Blegas78 ichirinsha-ist Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Tucson, Az Age: 26 Posts: 679	Looks like there's a small flat spot near the top. __________________ Nothing is better than than eternal happiness, and a ham sandwich is better than nothing, therefore a ham sandwich is better than eternal happiness. "Rock Out Loud Yo!" -kid from Paper Bag Over the Head advertisement

2007-02-22, 12:33 AM	#5
wickedbob Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4,063	It has to be somewhat stong (not saying that type is stronger or not I have no idea) considering it is on a trials bike they do some extreme stuff.

2007-02-22, 12:41 AM	#7
ThisGuyIKnow a.k.a. Jeff Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Westwood, Los Angeles, CA Age: 30 Posts: 1,932	I am more curious about the pedal set up? Is that a bike without a seat meant entirely for stand up riding?

2007-02-22, 12:56 AM	#13
Borgschulze 2 Wheel Traitor Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hamilton, ON Posts: 2,633	I was looking at that bike earlier today on Observed Trials. I was very interested in the strength of that lacing. __________________ deviantART Gravity is not the issue.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Large Marge wheelbuild FYI	unisk8r	General Unicycling Discussions	7	2006-02-08 08:59 AM