[medimond]

I've spent the last hour searching here and reading other wheel building material and cannot seem to find an answer to my question.

For a front wheel how much stiffer would a front wheel be with 24 spokes in lieu of 20 spokes? Given you used the same rim, same hub and same type of spokes.

 

[Bridgey]

I think they are the same stiffness regardless of the amount of spokes. But the less spokes the tighter the tension of the spokes in order to achieve the correct tension.

My opinion is unless it's for a timetrial bike, stick with the higher spoke count. I use 24 f/ 28 rear for deep rimmed wheels, but now wish I'd gone 28/32 or even 32/32.

 

[Lectron]

It will depend on the rim. Going from 20 to 24 is 20% increase in spoke cross-section area.
It'll make an already stiff wheel stiffer, but .5 degree increase of DS flange distance would do more.

I'd say that 20 front is more than adequate for normal riding. That is in many aspect better
dimensioned than a 32 spoked rear...No one complains 'bout that

 

[Zen Cyclery]

Lectron is correct. Widening that flange spacing is going to have a much bigger effect on stiffness. The one thing that wasnt mentioned was durability. Where a 24 spoke front instead of 20 is really going to shine is if you accidentally hit a pothole or two (especially if you are of considerable weight).

 

[medimond]

Thanks for all of the replies guys!

Right now I have a WH-R500 Shimano front hub and would like to get a set of wheels with a WI front hub. I'm 175 lbs. Would a 20 spoke WI wheel build be more stiff laterally than the 20 spoke Shimano wheels that I now have? Does the WI have a wider flange spacing that would make it stiffer?

 

[Kerry Irons]

Ph 101/

I think they are the same stiffness regardless of the amount of spokes.

So, when did they change the laws of physics? I must have been out for a coffee break! Back in the real world, 20% more spokes will have likely have a noticeable effect, all else equal. As others have noted, flange spacing (bracing angle) will have a lot more effect.

 

[valleycyclist]

What rim are you planning on using? I got rid of my WH-R500 wheels, but they had fairly heavy-duty rims that were also wider than average.

I think the flange spacing is about the same for the Shimano and White Industries front hubs. The Shimano front hub probably has a larger flange diameter. DT Swiss front hubs have an even wider flange spacing and flange diameter.

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http://www.valleycyclist.com

 

[medimond]

What I'm thinking about getting is:

White Industries
Sapim cxray
Kinlin Xr270

 

[valleycyclist]

That is a nice wheel, and 20 spokes should be okay. It depends on how the wheel is laced, but I don't think you will notice more stiffness than the WH-R500. You'll probably feel a faster response from the wheel due to the lighter rim weight. (I think the R500 rim weighs around 500 grams and uses brass nips)

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http://www.valleycyclist.com

 

[Pegorider]

Ligero wheels- Troy built me a set of model 1 wheels. He used a Kinlin XR-200 up front with 20 spokes. It's perfect for me at 175 lbs. Light, but I don't notice any flex.