Here is something I previously posted on th application of flanged hubs:
In the small accumulated pile of stuff I have I found some articles on wheelbuilding by Dick Swann. My old-timer friend says he worked at one time for Kopps in Princeton, NJ, as a wheelbuilder and that he was English(?). I guess some here would know him? Here are some of the things he said (material is undated):
1) .....resilient small flanged wheels used by stage race riders differ greatly from the tied, large flanged wheels favored by hill climbers.... 2)....the very object of using a large flange hub is to stiffen the wheel.... 3.....Circuit races (crits, Kermesses, etc.): on small tight courses with many corners, it is best to use a large flange hub to steady the bike in the many (often sharp) corners. Also, with the numerous accelerations that must occur on such courses this large front hub wheel prevent wheel whip (me: what is wheel whip?!) 4) ...Timetrialing: do use small hubs for lightness and halving wind resistance.... 5)...Hillclimbing: The front wheel has to be extra strong; in some events the rider is off the saddle with his weight on the front wheel for up top 75% of the distance... 6)....Sprinting: Large or medium size hubs... 7)....Paced racing: use largest flanged hubs available... 8)....Track timetrialing: small flange hubs.... 9)....Team pursuiting: "heavy" large flanged wheels
for each of these categories he has suggestions for spoke counts, spoke gauges, when wheels should be tied and soldered, etc.
Angel Garcia Long Valley, NJ
snip:
> It's not a matter of better,but a matter of proper application of product.
> Ted Ernst.