David Singlespeed Unrau

(last updated 2007-04-07)

Spoke Length Calculations

DT Swiss - There is a link to their online spoke length calculator link on the main page. This calculator corrects for stretch in Revolution spokes and spoke length changes for different nipple types. Typically it is safe to use the numbers from this calculator as the shortest length spoke that will work in a given situation.
Damon Rinard’s spoke length calculator and wheel/rim database. This is a good resource for dimensions of mainstream rims and hubs. Often lacking new or exotic products though.
Shimano’s product pages - Currently (2007) the product information pages for the various hubs list dimensions.

Sheldon Brown’s wheel building page - This just about covers it. I’ll just reinforce that checking the rear non-drive side spokes for uniformity of tension is important. The tension in these spokes is low, so a spoke with extra low tension is harder to detect through truing, and will cause problems down the road.

How not to test bike frames - Tom Fine’s opinion of EFBe frame tests. The problem with labs is they are not the real world. The problem with computer is they are not even labs. You can do lots of useful things in the lab or on the computer, but you do need to make sure your conclusions match some interpretation of reality. ;)
Damon Rinard’s frame deflection test protocol and measurements database. The test is simple. Some published measurements that are good for comparative purposes at a high level. However, especially with composite frames, care must be taken as the Rinard tests are combined torsion/deflection tests. These do not always vary proportionally farme to frame, and effect frame feel and handling very differently.
Leisha A. Peterson and Kelly J. Londry’s article on FEA applied to bicycles frames. The jury is still out on their conclusions re stiffness and efficiency, but good value for analysis of the relative stress levels in different areas of the frame under differing conditions.