32 or 36 Spokes?

[Andy in Germany]

I'm looking at hub dynamos to build a front wheel and they're available in 32 or 36 spoke configurations. My natural inclination for my 26" wheeled, rim braked touring bike is to get a 36 spoke hub because I assume more spokes = more reliability and less chance of a long walk home because of a dud wheel, but is this really the case?

Also what is a 'good' rim? either by profile or maker? I'm on a budget here, so I'd like to keep as close to 100€ as possible, preferably this side of it.

 

[robgul]

Rider weight is the other factor. I'm tall and quite heavy (not fat!) and would normally opt for 36 spokes on a touring/general purpose bike.

I've had good experiences with wheels from Herr Rose in Bocholt - both off-the-shelf and custom specified.

Rob

 

[Drago]

118kg here (very tall and pumped up, not fat at all ), one of my bikes is 32 and 28 spoke, reliable as you like. It's all down to the quality of the spokes and the care taken during construction.

 

[Low Gear Guy]

If you are planning multi day camping trips then go for 36 spokes for strength and reliability. Otherwise, 32 may be adequate.

 

[derrick]

118kg here (very tall and pumped up, not fat at all ), one of my bikes is 32 and 28 spoke, reliable as you like. It's all down to the quality of the spokes and the care taken during construction.

Also helps if you look where your going.👍

 

[Ming the Merciless]

The weight difference of four spokes is minimal. You wouldn’t notice it. In return you’ll get a wheel that will stay true whatever you throw at it.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Also helps if you look where your going.👍

it's like you know me.

 

[Andy in Germany]

If you are planning multi day camping trips then go for 36 spokes for strength and reliability. Otherwise, 32 may be adequate.

Long term the plan is to ride 200k+ trips on this bike, and hopefully at some point touring in Japan, which can be intimidatingly remote in places. I don't want to be stuck with a pretzeled wheel 50k from the nearest village and the other side of a mountain so I reckon 36 holes is the way to go, especially as @YukonBoy points out, the weight difference is negligible.

 

[Pale Rider]

Some tourers have 36 in the back and 32 in the front or another more and less combination.

As said, four spokes weigh very little so you may as well go for 36.

It may come down to what's on offer - I wouldn't rule out a genuine bargain because it was a 32.

Most dynamos are available in different spoke numbers, but that could be another factor.

As @Drago says, it does appear component and particularly build quality plays a major part.

 

[Vantage]

It just so happens that I have a Shimano dh 3n72 36hole hub...if you want it Andy.
It's done about a thousand miles give or take and is in very good condition.
£15 + cost of shipping and its yours.

 

[Sharky]

118kg here (very tall and pumped up, not fat at all ), one of my bikes is 32 and 28 spoke, reliable as you like. It's all down to the quality of the spokes and the care taken during construction.

Fashion and/or wheel building skills seem to have evolved. The bikes I started with had 32 front and 40 rear, then the fashion was for 36 front and rear when I rode "tubs". My last pair of aksiums were 20 front and rear! Don't think I have had any spokes brake on my from normal riding (a slight collisions with a Corsa did cause a few breakages) on my recent wheels, but I do remember lots of spoke breakages on those early 32/40 wheels. New aksiums seem to gone up to 24/24 spokes - perhaps evolution is making riders heavier!

 

[overmind]

I would get 36 spokes on both wheels. Then they are interchangeable. Oh wait ...

 

[Drago]

I was forever having to tweak my Aksiums, but the problems ceased when I went DT Swiss. Despite the weight of my rippling muscles (cough) they've been fit and forget. Bit of a price difference though,

 

[mickle]

I'm running 36/32 on my very heavily laden touring bike.

 

[Milkfloat]

If you want cheap - how about https://www.decathlon.co.uk/26-hybrid-front-dynamo-wheel-id_8131687.html? 36 spoke dynamo hub