Ken Toda, cutting to the chase, notes: <snip>
BUT, I remeber there was debate in late 60 to early 70's, that small (low) flange is lighter faster, and for a long ride, it is more confortable. I noticed that Campy does not make (or did they?) small(low: flange PISTA (track) hub set. The wheel made with large (high) flange hub and 4X lacing is stronger and less flexible.
<snip>
So, what is the ideal vintage wheel for road, and also for track??? I would like to hear from vintage expert.
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I'm not The vintage Expert, but let me fan the flames: 1) The "ideal" wheel is obviously the one the bike came with. It may reflect erroneous judgement about wheel performance, but that's part of the package. Second choice would be duplicate of the original, and third choice is whatever you like "what the first owner would have done if he had our knowledge"
2) From the standpoint of wheel building and strength, I sometimes feel like Don Quixote attacking the windmill, but here goes. It has been analytically and experimentally determined (by Jim Papadopoulos) that there is essentially no difference in lateral and radial stiffness from radial through 4x. Small compared to expected air pressure variation in the tires -- or tire type. I will assert that same will go for HF v. LF, until you get to awesomely high flanges that dramatically change the bracing angle. Racing forward to wave the red flag and enrage as many dovotees of the art as possible, I will argue that this stuff is much more a matter of fashion and folklore than of engineering.
3) The only exception I might bring up is the question of 4x LF hubs. Many have argued that this is bad, because the spoke heads at least contact some of the spokes. Might be a problem, but has not detered the likes of Masi: e-Richie's '71 Masi has this lacing, and I'm sure that Richard (no relation) Sachs got this one accurately.
Hope this doesn't sound too confrontational, but it turns out to be one area where measurements have been made. Fortunately, it gives us freedom to choose what we like for a particular bike without worrying that it might compromise performance.
harvey sachs mcLean VA
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