Spokes - straight vs J

[ichnusa]

J-spokes are neither weaker nor stronger - they are more prone to fatigue failure - repeated movement/bending causing the spoke to break. A bit like when you try to break a piece of wire or steel by repeatedly folding it.

 

The hub does not hang from the top spokes, neither does it stand on the bottom - it is suspended in tension by all the spokes within the rim. It would fail even if you remove the left or right side 50% (or 25% for that matter) of spokes...

[kosmonooit]

How so? Surely the difference is just in the way that the spokes connect to the hub? The tension is along the axis of the spoke and there is no movement at that mounting point?

[chris_w_65]

J-spokes are neither weaker nor stronger - they are more prone to fatigue failure - repeated movement/bending causing the spoke to break. A bit like when you try to break a piece of wire or steel by repeatedly folding it.

 

The hub does not hang from the top spokes, neither does it stand on the bottom - it is suspended in tension by all the spokes within the rim. It would fail even if you remove the left or right side 50% (or 25% for that matter) of spokes...

 

 

If you were standing still on the bike the hub would stay suspended with very few spokes but they would have to be from the top.

[ichnusa]

That would not be a very nice ride...

[Capricorn]

ichnusa: if u remove all but one spoke, and wheel contact with the ground is immediately below that spoke, the hub and bike should hang from it. just dont roll

[chris_w_65]

That would not be a very nice ride...

 

It would support your weight. Try turn the wheel 180 degrees if it only has a couple of spokes and the bike won't even support its own weight.