Bicycles Asked on February 13, 2021
Is it possible to build a bicycle wheel using a different spoke type for each side of the wheel? I am having some issues sourcing spokes, but I have found one set of DT Swiss Competition and one set of DT Swiss Revolution spokes in the correct lengths, and I was wondering if it was possible to mix them on the same wheel.
In Roger Musson's book Professional Guide to Wheel Building 7th Edition, https://www.wheelpro.co.uk/wheelbuilding/book.php this is covered in brief (for a dished rear wheel):
The wheel can support more load before the left spokes go slack by making the right side spokes stiffer than the left and this is accomplished by using thicker (stiffer) spokes on the right and thinner (less stiff) spokes on the left.
But he also says any benefit is difficult to quantify and it's unproven if it makes a better wheel, before concluding:
I always use the same gauge spokes either side on dished rear wheels for the simple reason that the wheels work and I have no reason to look for a solution to a problem that does not exist.
It's a tiny section of a very thorough book, so not something to do routinely, but if you are looking to do this purely for spoke availability then yes you can if you were using the thicker spokes on the side with more tension.
In any other year I'd say don't bother, just persevere and find matching spokes from whichever seller (lots of online sellers can cut spokes down to length for you if you contact them) but 2020 is no ordinary year!
Answered by Swifty on February 13, 2021
I have done it on purpose by using thinner spokes on the non-drive-side (NDS) of dished wheels. For example, I have a tandem with 2mm straight spokes on the drive side and butted 2mm/1.8mm spokes on the other side. The NDS naturally has lower tension, often about half the tension of the drive side. So if you can put the thinner spokes on the non drive side, it would be best. Some road wheels even have fewer spokes on the NDS than on the drive side. But even for a symmetrical wheel, though, mixing the spokes shouldn't be a major problem if the wheel is otherwise built correctly.
If there is a major difference, like 2.5mm spokes on one side and 1.8mm spokes on the other, you might have problems with the thicker being under-tensioned and coming loose. For my experience though, the difference between 2mm and 1.8mm is not enough to cause a problem; the characteristics overlap a lot.
Anecdotally I knew a guy who built his wheels with titanium spokes on one side and steel spokes on the other. I think this is asking for trouble because titanium has a much different spring constant that SS. But it worked at least for him.
Answered by BetterSense on February 13, 2021
Most of the wheels I've built have been mutts with random assortments of spoke types and not a one has failed, much less failed to come together. Have I built a wheel with a mix of bladed and round? Selected number of crosses to fit the length I have? Used 5 different spoke models? Yes. Often. Probably. So yeah it's definitely 100% possible. As for if it's a good idea, that depends on if you're building an ol' faithful 32 3x or trying something less resilient. In the latter case there's a lot to consider--relevant facts would be front or rear, wheel size, spoke count+lacing pattern, amount of center to flange asymmetry, rim strength, intended use, brake type, and your appetite for danger. But with 32 spokes and a near tangent line to the hub (typical of 3x on 26"+), all that really matters wrt strength and durability (provided you're not really pushing limits a la DH/BMX/trials) is that the spokes are tensioned high enough, and manually stress relieved at the end (else spokes may start breaking in a hundred or so miles). Practically speaking the more likely problems you're going to run into are:
Answered by drmrrdmr on February 13, 2021
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