Low Spoke Vs. Traditional Bicycle Wheels
Since the spokes on a bicycle wheel are not only moving forward but also spinning, they are the fastest-moving part of the bike. Air gets caught in the spokes, increasing drag. Reducing the number of spokes decreases drag.
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Types of Spoked Wheels
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Short spokes on deep rims displace less air. Standard wheels have 32 cylindrical spokes, but some wheels have as few as 16 spokes. Using deeper rims reduces the surface area of the spokes, improving aerodynamics.
Wheels Without Spokes
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Disk wheels are the most aerodynamic wheels. Solid disk wheels have no spokes, so they create only 35 to 50 percent of the drag of traditional wheels. They are hard to maneuver in a cross-wind, however. High-end aerodynamic wheels have between three and five broad carbon spokes to improve maneuverability without sacrificing aerodynamics.
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Front and Rear Wheels
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A wheel's aerodynamic advantages are less significant in the rear, where the wheel is sheltered. Since disk wheels are hard to steer in the wind, they are seldom used in front.
Cost
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Faster wheels generally cost more. Traditional wheels cost less than deep rims, which cost less than disk wheels.
Stiffness
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The more spokes a wheel has, the stiffer and sturdier it is. Rear wheels require more spokes to endure the strain of supporting more weight. Heavier riders exert more torque on their wheels, so durability is more important.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Paul Keleher Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of David Cobb Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Adam Baker
