while reading the posts on this subject something reminded me that i have another wheel mounted on a bike, which is identical in every respect to the record-hubbed one that failed - same hub, spokes and rim, built at the same time and at the same shop if not by the same person. i just took a look at it - guess what? i found a crack on the inside of the flange, running between two holes, center to center as it were. aaaargh! definitely has to be the radial lacing.
however, i have another wheel, radially laced to a record hub, which i personally built in the early 90's, which has seen a lot of "hook" time and is just fine. i can only assume that the one i built has less tension than the other ones. btw, the one that failed, and the one that is starting to fail, were both original equipment on cinelli lasers. i believe they were both built in italy at the cinelli factory. something tells me that being fearless wheel builders, they probably wrenched the spokes tighter than i did.
anyway, tonight i'm going to try to loosen all the spokes on the the one wheel before the hub flange comes apart. it will be a wall hanger for sure! i'll let y'all know if i end up with two identical, and identically failed, front wheels - if i don't follow up it means it's ok. wish me your collective luck.
ray (afraid to check the rest of my wheels) dobbins miami florida