Are 36 Spoke Bicycle Wheels Stronger Than 28 Spoke Wheels All Other Things Being Equal?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If the spokes, rims, hubs, and craftsmanship of two wheels are on the same level, then

the one with more spokes (36 in this case) will be stronger

.

Are wheels with more spokes stronger?


A bike wheel with more spokes is stronger than a bike wheel with fewer spokes

. What’s more, different spokes offer differing levels of strength and durability. Spokes are the individual pieces that hold together a bicycle wheel to create the structure needed to support the weight of your bicycle and rider.

What is the strongest spoke pattern?


3x is the standard lacing pattern

, because it is strongest. Radially spoked wheel will be slightly lighter and stiffer but can not handle torque at all.

What is the strongest bike rim?

26 Inch Rims

The

Ryde Andra 30

(or 35, 40) is the strongest touring rim available.

Are 28 spoke wheels strong enough?


28-spokes can support heavier riders

, but in general, it’s recommended to use a wheel with more spokes if you’re over 220lbs and intend to ride the bike aggressively.

How many spokes do you need for touring?

Building touring wheels

While 36 holes are generally recommended, lighter and unladen riders may get away with 32 (the weight saving is minimal but they’re easier to source) and

tandem riders may prefer up to 48 spokes

and a four-cross pattern to cope with the extra weight and power.

What are the strongest bicycle spokes?

Meet

Berd PolyLight bike spokes

. These unassuming, flexible fabric spokes made from the world’s strongest polymer will revolutionize bike wheels forever. The latest upgrade in cycling tech will happen in one of the last places you’d expect: spokes.

Does the number of spokes matter?

Is there a significant difference made when it comes to the number of spokes a car wheel has? In truth,

the number of spokes a wheel has barely makes any difference really

. The impact on the wheel’s weight, strength and aerodynamic performance will be minimal at best.

How do I make my bike wheels stronger?

Are all bike spokes the same?

When it comes time to ordering your hubs, rims, and spokes, you want to be sure that

both the hubs and the rims use the same number of spokes

. A majority of mountain bike wheels use either 24, 28, or 32 spokes per wheel depending on their intended use.

How strong is a bicycle spoke?

They are a 13 gauge spoke (2.3 mm) that is bladed to a wide center (3.5 mm or wider) that necks down to 2.0 mm 14 gauge at the threads so you can use a 14 gauge nipple. These are big spokes (about 9 grams) but are

incredibly strong

.

How do you lace a 36 spoke?

Are 700c wheels good?

Summary. –

If you choose a high-quality 700c wheel and tyre you are able to reap the rewards of a faster and smoother rolling wheel

. – If you use good quality parts, you’re less likely to have issues in remote locations. Carrying spare parts will allow you get to less-remote places to restock.

What are 700c wheels?

700C is used to refer to

any tire, rim, or wheel with a 622mm BSD

, but it could be on a skinny-tired road bike where the wheel has an actual diameter of only 660mm (which is actually a little LESS than 26 inches!), or a mountain bike with a wheel diameter of over 29 inches.

Are Zipp wheels worth it?

Even if it might seem pricy if you’re on a tight budget,

Zipp’s 404 Wheelset has proven to be great value over time

. The flawless combination of rigidity, strength, and aerodynamic performance make these wheels ideal to be used in most weather and road conditions.

Is 28 spokes enough for Bikepacking?


At least 28 spokes is the bare minimum

. Many rims targeted toward gravel bikes are being specced with 24 spokes; we don’t think this is enough for a loaded bike destined for rough terrain.

How many spokes do I need for a gravel wheel?

Most gravel wheelsets have

between 24 and 32 spokes

. Consider upping your spoke count if you take in more technical terrain, load up your bike with bags or are a heavier rider.

Are Ryde wheels good?

They build a very stiff wheel for the weight due to the offset spoke bead which is

very good

. I’ve also built a number of pairs for customers and haven’t had any back. Their weight is very good for their width but sadly that seems to possibly come at a bit of a price. They seem to be rather susceptible to dings.

What is a double wall bike wheel?

A double wall rim

has 2x “chambers” making up the rim

. These rims are usually the best strength to weight ratio. You will find double wall rims on most mid to pro level bikes. They offer a huge performance advantage to single wall rims and I recommend them for any level of riding.

How do I choose bike spokes?

In general terms,

the more spokes a wheel has, the more the load is spread and the stronger the wheel should be

. Conversely, less spokes means a lighter wheel, so a wheelbuilder must strike a balance between desired strength and light weight.

Are bladed spokes stronger?


The bladed spokes are typically stronger than the butted spokes

because the blade is the result of an additional forging process over the butted spoke. Spoke threads are rolled and not tapped. Rolling results in a stronger and more precise thread.

How do I know what spokes I need for my bike?

Pull both spoke heads inward towards the center to seat the nipples. Using the narrow tips of the caliper jaws, measure from inside to inside of each J-bend. Record this measurement to the nearest tenth of a millimeter. In our example, each spoke measured 266 mm, with the J-bend-to-J-bend at 35.7 mm.

Are thicker spokes stronger?


The thickness difference strengthens the structure

because both parts of the spoke are at different angles when compared to each other, which helps distribute stress better than straight-gauge or bladed spokes do. This increases their tensile strength.

How many spokes should a bike wheel have?

Number of spokes

Conventional metallic bicycle wheels for single rider bikes commonly have

24, 28, 32 or 36 spokes

, while wheels on tandems have as many as 40 or 48 spokes to support the weight of an additional rider. BMX bikes commonly have 36 or 48 spoke wheels.

What spoke count do I need?

You need the

24 spokes on the rear

the same as your standard road bike for putting the power down. It is less necessary to increase the spoke count from 24 on the back as you will only be using your back brake to balance your front brake.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.