I just built up a light rear wheel with 32 Sapim CX Ray spokes, 2 cross both sides. I'm not the best sprinter in the world, but still focus on crits, as that's what I enjoy the most. I have guys telling me that the rear wheel will be too flexy and I'm "throwing away" what ever power I can get to the hub. Now I'm stressed out b/c I built up this nice wheel, and I'm wondering if it's going to hurt my already mediocre sprint. The wheel "feels" fine. Any experts out there with experience inthis area? Are the CX Ray spokes very flexy, and will this effect the ability to get power from the pedals to the tire? It's not like I built up a low spoke wheel....
I have guys telling me that the rear wheel will be too flexy and I'm "throwing away" what ever power I can get to the hub. Now I'm stressed out b/c I built up this nice wheel, and I'm wondering if it's going to hurt my already mediocre sprint. The wheel "feels" fine.
You're kidding - right? I'm thinking that it's more likely these guys have psychology degrees than engineering degrees. Try not to let them get inside of your head like that. If you lose the sprint it won't be because of the wheels.
I just built up a light rear wheel with 32 Sapim CX Ray spokes, 2 cross both sides. I'm not the best sprinter in the world, but still focus on crits, as that's what I enjoy the most. I have guys telling me that the rear wheel will be too flexy and I'm "throwing away" what ever power I can get to the hub. Now I'm stressed out b/c I built up this nice wheel, and I'm wondering if it's going to hurt my already mediocre sprint. The wheel "feels" fine. Any experts out there with experience inthis area? Are the CX Ray spokes very flexy, and will this effect the ability to get power from the pedals to the tire? It's not like I built up a low spoke wheel....
Thanks in advance for any input.
Since you are not a hulk of a sprinter, that wheel should be fine for you. I would have gone 3X on the drive side, but you are probably fine. Lots of pro teams and riders are using CX Ray spokes, including some sprinters that you may have heard of including Boonen, McEwen, and Zabel, among others (according to the Sapim website).
Any experts out there with experience inthis area? Are the CX Ray spokes very flexy, and will this effect the ability to get power from the pedals to the tire? It's not like I built up a low spoke wheel....
Thanks in advance for any input.
CX Rays are pretty much the industry standard for high quality spokes, and 32 is plenty. Spokes are only part of the wheel though. What kind of rim did you use, and how heavy are you?
CX Rays are pretty much the industry standard for high quality spokes, and 32 is plenty. Spokes are only part of the wheel though. What kind of rim did you use, and how heavy are you?
It's an american classic 350 rim on a powertap sl hub. I'm about 147lbs. I'm starting to think I should worry more about my training and tactics and less about the wheel. Thanks for all the input....
It's an american classic 350 rim on a powertap sl hub. I'm about 147lbs. I'm starting to think I should worry more about my training and tactics and less about the wheel. Thanks for all the input....
That's a light rim, but at your weight it certainly shouldn't be too flexible.
