[Yak] fixed gear

[Finley, Ren]

I have built about two dozen front wheels in the last 5 years with radial
lacing (and easily twice that many with crossed spokes). I also sometimes
lace rear wheels with a radial pattern on the non-drive side (with a cross-3
drive side). I have ridden over 10k miles (and friends another 10k or more)
on these wheels without any of the problems listed below.

I use only the highest quality spokes (DT) and hubs (Phil Wood/King/Dura
Ace/Campy) and build them very tight. This lacing pattern puts more stress
on the hub flange than a traditional cross spoke design and some hub
manufacturers won't warranty a failed flange for this reason. Cross laced
wheels are generally stronger - however I'm comfortable that a radial wheel
is strong enough for me. (OK - I have Cross-5 wheels on my tandem)

IMHO -- advantages - few, disadvantages - few. Why then do I do it? Because
I like the way it looks. That's it. If you are uncomfortable with radial
lacing then by all means get cross-2 or -3 wheels. 

Ren - Radial front wheel on my AirFriday - Finley
Denver
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Lynne Dolph [mailto:dolph at bentonrea.com] 
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 2:01 PM
To: yak at bikefriday.com
Subject: [Yak] fixed gear


Thanks for the help guys. I think I will convert my old Smarino sport
(27x11/4) to a fixed gear and see how I like it. Then, being beter informed,
look at the fridays again. Until then I will dream.
    I am guessing that a very light bicycle, with small wheels for light
rotational weight would climb hills beter. If this is true a fixed gear
friday should be able to climb hills. Cool idea.
    I tried to extend this thought one step farther. I found some upgrade
wheels on the Dahon web site which are supposed to be the worlds lightest. I
showed them to my son, who at the age of 16 already has 2 years experience
working in a bike shop. He saw the radial front spokes and told me I
wouldn't like them. Since then I have talked to several other people who
have experience with radial spokes, all on conventional sized wheels. I have
heard that: some have spokes that loosen up, some are hard to true, some are
more flexable depending on the spokes, that major hub manufactures will not
warantee their products if used with radial spokes. I hope there is more
wisdom out there as I am still considering trying some of these ideas some
day.  What are your experiences?
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