[Fenrisulfur]

I just bought my first racing bike. A Specialized Tarmac comp and I just noticed that the back rim is very asymmetrical. The spokes are way over to the left of the middle.
Is this normal? My mtb's dont have rims this bad.
Look at the pics.

 

[valleycyclist]

That is probably a factory defect.

Just kidding. That design helps to make the spoke tension on the rear wheel more even since the rear hub spacing is not symmetric due do the freehub body.

 

[JCavilia]

what he said. Sometimes called "offset spoke bed." Essentially, the rim is moved to one side a little, so less dish is required, and you therefore get slightly less difference in spoke tension between the left and right sides. Makes it a little easier to build a strong wheel.

 

[Fenrisulfur]

Ok thanks for the answers.

Is this mainly done on cheaper wheels?
I don't see this on my mtb wheels or other racing wheels?

 

[Hank Stamper]

No doesn't have much to do with the wheels being cheap. I have a set of Dura Ace wheels just like that.

 

[Kerry Irons]

Price no object

Is this mainly done on cheaper wheels? I don't see this on my mtb wheels or other racing wheels?

Short answer is no. The concept first came in higher end wheels, and the main reason it's not done more commonly is that it means the manufacturer has to have a double inventory of rims. If the rear and front are the same, then they save by not having to keep track of two different rims. Also it means that the manufacturer needs to have two different extrusion dies, another cost.