Re: [Classicrendezvous] Maillard Helicomatic question

(Example: Framebuilders)

From: <Gjvinbikes@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2000 21:11:58 EDT
Subject: Re: [Classicrendezvous] Maillard Helicomatic question
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


In a message dated 9/30/00 4:50:01 PM Eastern Daylight Time, moos@penn.com writes:
> I don't see anything in the design which would make it even close to as prone to
> spoke breakage as modern 10 speed rear hubs.

Excellent point !
> I think spoke breakage is more a matter of riding style and rider weight than of
> minor differences in hub design.

Here I must disagree. With normal (many more than 12) spoke-count wheels, spokes break due to fatigue from flexing because they are too loose. Heavier riders are able to loosen their spokes more easily, since the spoke tension must be greater with a heavier rider in order to prevent detensioning, with or without pot-holes.

The spokes on a properly tensioned wheel, as per Jobst or equivalent, will not fail before the rim or hub flange given modern stainless-steel spokes. Also, it will NEVER need re-truing, which is itself a test for a properly tensioned wheel.

Glenn Jordan