13 vs 12 Gauge Spokes?

(PeteCresswell)

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Jan 13, 2010, 7:38:41 PM1/13/10

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I'm lacing an ebike motor into a RhynoLyte rim.

Original build used 12 gauge spokes, but there's a problem with
12 gauge nipples not fitting in RhynoLyte's ferrules.

I tried 14 gauge, but the hub's drilling is so large that the
heads pass right through the holes. Thought briefly about going
with it, counting on the tension to keep everything together, but
a little voice said "What? Are you just plain stupid?".

Does anybody think 13 gauge might be the happy medium? i.e.
Larger heads, but smaller nipples?

Some sort of washers as a workaround?
--
PeteCresswell

Chalo

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Jan 13, 2010, 7:55:37 PM1/13/10

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You'll probably need washers whether you use 13ga or 14ga spokes.

Don't use 13ga or worse yet 12ga spokes with bicycle rims; the rims
can't take as much tension as the thick spokes require to stay tight
under load.

The best thing for your particular situation would be to get 13/14ga
single-butted spokes. Wheelsmith makes them, and Phil Wood offers
13/14ga blanks for their spoke cutting machines. That way you can get
the better fit of a fatter spoke at the flange, but you can use normal
sized nipples at the rim. 13/15/14ga DT triple-butted "Alpine" spokes
are another option.

Use #3 or 2.5mm brass washers under the spoke heads.

Chalo

Mark J.

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Jan 13, 2010, 8:11:03 PM1/13/10

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DT Alpine IIIs are allegedly 13G at the head and 14G at the nipple.
Dunno how many of your children they'll want in exchange for a set.
Dunno if they'll fit even then.

http://www.dtswiss.com/getdoc/71f384b2-a638-401e-bd66-accbc9c64124/TechnicalDatasheet.aspx

Mark J.

Norman

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Jan 13, 2010, 8:20:15 PM1/13/10

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On Jan 13, 7:38 pm, "(PeteCresswell)" <x...@y.Invalid> wrote:
> I'm lacing an ebike motor into a RhynoLyte rim.
>
> Original build used 12 gauge spokes, but there's a problem with
> 12 gauge nipples not fitting in RhynoLyte's ferrules.
>
> I tried 14 gauge, but the hub's drilling is so large that the
> heads pass right through the holes. Thought briefly about going
> with it, counting on the tension to keep everything together, but
> a little voice said "What? Are you just plain stupid?".
>

I'm not sure it's philosophically so very dif'rent from:
http://tinypic.com/r/50qhyf/6

Then again, it's not my bicycle. Chalo's 13/14 single butted
idea sounds pretty sound, I'm surprised nobody makes a
12/(something of a smaller wire gauge than 12) spoke. I
guess if the dudes who buy yellow spandex don't want it,
nobody wants it.

thirty-six

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Jan 13, 2010, 9:04:39 PM1/13/10

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Try for 14 gauge with washers. Anything thicker is not a bicycle
spoke and may result in a wheel with too great a shock transmission.

Jobst Brandt

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Jan 13, 2010, 10:12:21 PM1/13/10

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Pete Cresswell wrote:

Not until MTB riders and other low spoke count wheels are no longer
fashion among the riders who believe they are so strong they would
break all spokes if they were 15-16ga as most reasonable road bicycles
were until recently. It's hard to find a hub that will carry such
spokes. Thanks MR. Macho for the change in demand.

HEY! If you don't drive big black truck with huge wheels, how do you
ever expect to get anywhere? Such trucks are the preferred transport
for bicyclists around here.

Jobst Brandt

thirty-six

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Jan 14, 2010, 1:19:16 AM1/14/10

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What are you attempting to say, in sentences?

Message has been deleted

Peter Cole

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Jan 14, 2010, 11:38:30 AM1/14/10

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* wrote:

> As usual, The Brandt is saying: "I miss the Days of Yore, before the
> internet and easy access to information. In those Days, I was the top
> dung beetle in my little corner of California. I was a deity,
> worshipped by 'lesser' cyclists. Today, I am like the Wizard of Oz
> after the curtain was opened ('Pay no attention to the man behind that
> outdated book'). WAH!".

Hey "*", who exactly is "behind the curtain"?