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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

1564.0. "Another dumb wheel note!" by TPWEST::SHROYER () Wed May 30 1990 13:13

WARNING:  This is another one of those stupid wheel notes.  Spare yourself the
pain and read no further unless your a wheel freak!

_______________________________________________________________________________

        This weekend was interesting.  It started on Saturday with a crit on a
very rough surface.  I brought out my tank wheels;  GP4s,(36) 14 ga. spokes,
Campy high flange hubs (circa 1978) and "kevlar belted" -bullet proof sew-ups.
After 28 laps of riding hard, puking, covering breaks, sprinting, etc. I
flatted.  Now you've got to understand, I have never been know as being too
logical, but after much thought I came to the conclusion that these wheels
were jinxed.

        So I went home, took the wheels out to my back yard and let my golden
retriever relieve himself on each nipple.  It helped me achieve a sense of
revenge.

        On Sunday, I got up and looked outside and it was raining.  Our next
rain in California was scheduled for November!  I was positive that these
wheels had something to do with it.  So I drank a cup of coffee and plotted my
next piece of revenge.  The only thing I could come up with was capital
punishment.  After some further thought, I decided I would amputate 50% of its
spokes and watch those jinxed wheels die a slow death (much like my slow death
in the crit).

        Then something really wierd happened!  The front wheel begin to look
like a Time Trial wheel.  High flanged record hubs, 18 spokes (bladed or
oval), radially laced.....I COULD BE ON TO SOMETHING!   On the rear I could go
2X or the free wheel side, radial on the other and lace it with 24 spokes
leaving every third hole open.   I would probably use an aero clincher rim
with a high pressure tire.

        These wheels would be used only on fairly flat courses and most of the
time I would only use the front wheel (disk on rear).

        So has anyone actually done this?  Can you use a normal 36 spoke rim
and simply not use every other hole?  Any USCF regulations against this?
[EOB]
  
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1564.1"a feature, not a bug!"SHALOT::ELLISJohn Lee Ellis - assembly requiredWed May 30 1990 15:346
    
    If you do this, will the unused nipple-holes whistle?
    
    Just asking...
    
    -john
1564.2I've seen it done.CLYPPR::FISHERDictionary is not.Wed May 30 1990 15:485
    I have seen wheels laced by omitting holes.  I would not like to do it
    with offset holes because one side would be bending the spokes wrong
    but what the heck.
    
    ed
1564.3Maybe an Aero Rim?TPWEST::SHROYERWed May 30 1990 19:0010
           <<< Note 1564.2 by CLYPPR::FISHER "Dictionary is not." >>>
                            -< I've seen it done. >-

    >I have seen wheels laced by omitting holes.  I would not like to do it
    >with offset holes because one side would be bending the spokes wrong
    >but what the heck.
    
    >ed

That's a good point.  I thought maybe an aero rim would remedy that problem?
1564.4block the holesQUICKR::FISHERDictionary is not.Thu May 31 1990 07:538
    Just check the rims to see if the spoke holes are offset, I guess.  I
    remeber one such rim had some stuff blocking the unlaced holes.  Tape
    or something.  I wonder about the aero effectiveness there.
    
    Most of us could spend forever doing wind tunnel tests or just riding
    if only we didn't have to work to support our habits.  :-)
    
    ed
1564.5Graeme ObreeJUMBLY::MACFADYENDon&#039;t read thisThu May 31 1990 10:3117
    Re .0:
    
    Interesting note for you to put in at this time, because a guy called
    Graeme Obree has just set a new Scottish hour record of about 46km,
    done in Meadowbank stadium, Edinburgh, and yes, he was using 36 hole
    wheels laced with just 18 spokes. In the article I read (Cycling
    Weekly) he was reported as saying they were as drag-free as discs yet
    immune to side-winds. 
    
    Obree is known for an unconventional approach to equipment. On his
    bikes he rotates the conventional drop handlebars 180� upwards, and
    cycles with his upper body lying on the flats. This looks uncomfortable
    yet seems effective, for he's one of the hottest time-triallers in the
    UK at present.
    
    
    Rod
1564.6A loophole? BCSE::KLASMANALL-IN-1 DESKtop for PCs. dtn 381-0731Mon Jun 04 1990 13:2810
re:
    Obree is known for an unconventional approach to equipment. On his
    bikes he rotates the conventional drop handlebars 180� upwards, and
    cycles with his upper body lying on the flats. This looks uncomfortable
    yet seems effective, for he's one of the hottest time-triallers in the
    UK at present.
  
This sounds like a way around the ban on aero bars in British TT'ing :^)

Kevin