walsh
April 5th, 2007, 09:59 PM
A book review:
The Bicycle Wheel (Brandt), and Zinn and The Art of Bicycle Maintenance(Zinn) were mentioned in the recent wheel truing thread. I wanted to put in a plug for The Art of Wheelbuilding (http://www.amazon.com/Art-Wheelbuilding-Reference-Neophytes-Wheelaholics/dp/0964983532) by Gerd Schraner. I've had the book on my shelf for years, but recently took a serious look at it when faced with building a set of high-end wheels.
It's a great education for anyone who builds or rides on wheels, written in the idiosyncratic English of a crusty European artisan.
Excerpt, from the chapter dicussing spoking patterns:
Twisted spoking:
The twisting of spokes, instead of the clasic crossing work, is a waste of time . . .
Twisted spoking patterns are not only unaesthetic but are an additional mechanical disadvantage resulting from the the extreme angle of the spoke directly at the nipple. Every serious wheelbuilder who has ever practiced this kind of spoking pattern has sworn to refrain from repeating the error.
Yet, young bike freaks, apprentices and mechanics seem to like this kind of spoking patter. My advice: Leave them at it and let them continue to show their enjoyment and enthusiasm in this way. It's better to see them rolling spokes than rolling joints.
The Bicycle Wheel (Brandt), and Zinn and The Art of Bicycle Maintenance(Zinn) were mentioned in the recent wheel truing thread. I wanted to put in a plug for The Art of Wheelbuilding (http://www.amazon.com/Art-Wheelbuilding-Reference-Neophytes-Wheelaholics/dp/0964983532) by Gerd Schraner. I've had the book on my shelf for years, but recently took a serious look at it when faced with building a set of high-end wheels.
It's a great education for anyone who builds or rides on wheels, written in the idiosyncratic English of a crusty European artisan.
Excerpt, from the chapter dicussing spoking patterns:
Twisted spoking:
The twisting of spokes, instead of the clasic crossing work, is a waste of time . . .
Twisted spoking patterns are not only unaesthetic but are an additional mechanical disadvantage resulting from the the extreme angle of the spoke directly at the nipple. Every serious wheelbuilder who has ever practiced this kind of spoking pattern has sworn to refrain from repeating the error.
Yet, young bike freaks, apprentices and mechanics seem to like this kind of spoking patter. My advice: Leave them at it and let them continue to show their enjoyment and enthusiasm in this way. It's better to see them rolling spokes than rolling joints.