Update to Damon Rinard’s Spocalc Spoke calculator — new advice on fatbikes and hub motors, more spoke calculators for mobile devices added to the list at the bottom of the page, correction of a minor math error (display of bracing angle for radial spoking).
Tag: spoke
How bicycle spokes transmit torque between hub and rim
We have a new article which describes how the spokes transmit pedaling and braking torque between the hub and rim. The spokes do it by changes in tension — but how much does the tension change? The article explains the drawing below.
Creaks, Clicks and Clunks — and Rubs and Lurches and Rattles
Information has been added to the Creaks, Clicks and Clunks page to help you diagnose several more problems. The page now covers more types of cranks, the noiseless lurches and bumps which occur due to tire damage, chain too wide for the sprockets, worn-out bottom bracket bearings, chain rub on front derailer…
Spoking for large hubs, improved
The article on special spoking patterns for use with extra-large hubs (for example, electric bicycle hub motors) has been improved with patterns which avoid twisting the hub shell for two of the hub and rim combinations. The article includes all the information needed to use Damon Rinard’s Spocalc (also on the site) to calculate spoke lengths for these patterns.
Check spoke tension by ear when building a wheel
Check the level of spoke tension by ear — unless you are tone deaf, a musical pitch reference (pitch pipe, tuning fork, smartphone app etc.) is all you need to tell whether you have brought spokes up to the appropriate level of tension when building a wheel. It’s faster than using a tensiometer!
Spocalc revised
The page for Damon Rinard’s spoke calculator has been revised, with an updated list of online spoke calculators, several comments and links, and better formatting. Now also includes links to spoke-calculator apps for iOS and Android smartphones!
Spoking patterns for large hubs
New article on spoke patterns which avoid excessive spoke angles
with large hubs such as electrically-assisted bike hub motors.
Measuring hub and rim for spoke-length calculation
New page on how to measure a hub and rim to get the numbers to enter into a spoke-length calculator.
On-road Wheel Repairs
John has written an article that just might get you rolling again.
Addition to wheelbuilding page
New information in the wheelbuilding page about removing the bend from spokes where they exit the hub flange…
