Spokes for fat bike wheel lacing job.

[docw009]

I am going to re-lace a new fat bike rim to a motor kit that came with a 26" mountain bike wheel and 12G spokes. The motor came with holes for 12G spokes. I would like to use 13G spokes in the existing holes, but the holes seem to be about 3mm diameter and are countersunk on each side, so maybe washers would not work well. That's my question. Could I get away with 13G?

Otherwise, I'll just buy cheap chinese 12G spokes? They were on the motor prior. The rim will need to be drilled for the bigger nipples too. Never as easy as it sounds.

By the way, it's a 135mm drop-out going on the front. I took the freewheel off, and will shift some washers around for better centering, I expect it might need some dishing to keep the tires from rubbing. That means two sets of cheap chinese spokes.

 

[Drunkskunk]

Sounds like an interesting build. Got pics?

Go for 13/14G Single butted Name brand spokes. Use washers if you need them. 12g chinese spokes would be weaker. And going with a spoke that is too thick to do it's job will also make the wheel weaker, so that still rules out 13g straight gauge.

 

[markz]

Go for 13/14G Single butted

Arent those by definition double butted?

13g straight gauge.

Would be the single butted wouldnt it?

 

[lumenpdx]

Go for 13/14G Single butted

Arent those by definition double butted?

13g straight gauge.

Would be the single butted wouldnt it?

I believe a single-butted spoke only changes size once. A double-butted spoke changes size twice. Generally a single-butt will be thicker at the head then at the threaded end. I'm sourcing some Sapim 13/14 butted spokes for my build.

 

[Tony01]

I'm using 14g straight gauge spokes on a hub with 3mm holes, no washers and it's fine. As long as the head doesn't pull through you will be okay. If you want to use washers, use brass ones with a center hole no more than .010" bigger than your spokes.

 

[docw009]

Sounds like an interesting build. Got pics?

None yet. WIll post them when there's something worth looking at.

I had no interest in fat bikes, but picked one up from Walmart for $99. I thought it might be fun to ride in the snow on local bike paths. I like to pedal, but this thing is pretty heavy, so I want to make it 2WD with two small geared hub motors on it, and use a 36V battery in a bag on a rear rack for a stealth look, if a fat bike can be stealthy.

The bike will need some fixes. I have a replacement fork that will support disk brake. To save some weight. I will swap in alloy bars, crankset, and pedals from one of my older bikes. I have the front motor already. Rear is on order from China. When that arrives, if it does arrive, then I'll get a luna cycle battery that can run both motors.

I might try the 14G spokes then, Beats drilling out the rim. I can do that. Just don't want to.

 

[Ykick]

Single butted 13/14ga from Danscomp is probably how I would roll on this. They're not listed on website, ask when providing length which is call-in anyway. The extra beef around the spoke head is nice for large flange holes.

 

[MadRhino]

I stopped using them butted spokes. I am fitting washers both at the flange (conic, alu) and rim (oval, steel or brass), and use straight DT Swiss 14ga SS black spokes.They can stand a lot of tension, much more than most that I've tried. I abandoned the 12ga spokes on all of my bikes. This is saving weight, with very little difference in maintenance frequency.

 

[docw009]

Thank you all for the advice. 14G with washers sounds better and better.