32h rim w/ 48h hub What do you think.

[jtrops]

I want to build up a 26" wheel, and I would like to go with a 32 hole rim just for the variety available. It seems like the 48 hole hub is a good option.

Doing the basic math it seems very reasonable to build a 32 hole rim with a 48 hole hub. You just skip every third hole on the hub. In practice, what are the ins and outs for doing this build?

Awhile back Eric (saskatchawanian) mentioned in another post that you would need slightly different lengths for the pushing/pulling spokes. What is the variance? Is it close enough to get one length and grind down the long ones (or ignore them if they are below the level of double wall)?

[saskatchewanian]

I asked about this on some mountain bike forums as well and some people thought it was crazy and stupid, but those that actually did it said that they just used the same length spoke for the whole wheel and it built up without any issues.

When I punched the numbers I came up with two different spoke lengths differing by about 3mm. You can go a mm or two long or short so one length would work but I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to building wheels so I think I would go with the two spoke sizes.


I have yet to build up my 32 spoke wheel but I have already bought the 48h hub.

[jtrops]

Originally Posted by saskatchewanian

I asked about this on some mountain bike forums as well and some people thought it was crazy and stupid, but those that actually did it said that they just used the same length spoke for the whole wheel and it built up without any issues.

When I punched the numbers I came up with two different spoke lengths differing by about 3mm. You can go a mm or two long or short so one length would work but I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to building wheels so I think I would go with the two spoke sizes.


I have yet to build up my 32 spoke wheel but I have already bought the 48h hub.

I used to be pretty anal about wheelbuilding too, but I have relaxed a lot over the years.

As nice as it would be to have a 32 hole hub, I can't see any reason not to go with the 48.

I'll probably be buying a Nimbus hub like yours before too long.

Thanks for the input.

Jerry

[saskatchewanian]

Built up the wheel yesterday and it looks great. Calculated the spoke length for a regular 32 spoke 3x pattern and it was about perfect. Half the spokes were about 1mm shorter than perfect but really close enough.

[jtrops]

Nice looking wheel. Is that the uber wide 29'er that you eluded to in another post?

[saskatchewanian]

Originally Posted by jtrops

Nice looking wheel. Is that the uber wide 29'er that you eluded to in another post?

yah, it is 50mm wide so really not that much wider than a KH freeride rim but it is wider. As far as I know this is the widest rim on the market.