This software calculates the required spoke lengths for wire spoked wheels.
I recently came across Spokcalc, a free program available for both Mac OS X and 9 that is capable of calculating spoke lengths for wire spoked wheels. What really caught my attention was the extensive database of over 400 hubs and 550 rims included within the software. The best part? The database is user-modifiable and -expandable, allowing users to add even more rims and hubs as required.
Moving on to the inputs required for the calculator, each measure is given in millimeters:
- Total Spoke Number: A straightforward measure of the total number of spokes required for the intended wheel.
- Effective Rim Diameter: Arguably the most important measurement to ensure accuracy, this is the diameter of the rim as measured from one spoke nipple (at the end inside the rim) to the nipple in the exact opposite hole.
- Flange Width to Center: This is the distance between the center of the hub and the center of the flange. To calculate this, measure the distance between the outside of one lock nut to the outside of the other, then subtract the measurement from the outside of the lock nut to the center of the flange. For asymmetrical hubs, such as rear hubs, two calculations must be performed - one for each side.
- Flange Diameter: The measurement from the center of one spoke hole in the hub to the opposite hole.
- Spoke Hole Diameter: While not as crucial as other measurements, this involves measuring the diameter of the spoke hole in the hub.
- Crossings: The number of spoke crossings in the intended lacing pattern.
Overall, I found Spokcalc to be a user-friendly and impressively comprehensive tool. And with completely free access for non-commercial use, I would highly recommend this software for anyone needing assistance with spoke length calculations.
Moving on to the inputs required for the calculator, each measure is given in millimeters:
- Total Spoke Number: A straightforward measure of the total number of spokes required for the intended wheel.
- Effective Rim Diameter: Arguably the most important measurement to ensure accuracy, this is the diameter of the rim as measured from one spoke nipple (at the end inside the rim) to the nipple in the exact opposite hole.
- Flange Width to Center: This is the distance between the center of the hub and the center of the flange. To calculate this, measure the distance between the outside of one lock nut to the outside of the other, then subtract the measurement from the outside of the lock nut to the center of the flange. For asymmetrical hubs, such as rear hubs, two calculations must be performed - one for each side.
- Flange Diameter: The measurement from the center of one spoke hole in the hub to the opposite hole.
- Spoke Hole Diameter: While not as crucial as other measurements, this involves measuring the diameter of the spoke hole in the hub.
- Crossings: The number of spoke crossings in the intended lacing pattern.
Overall, I found Spokcalc to be a user-friendly and impressively comprehensive tool. And with completely free access for non-commercial use, I would highly recommend this software for anyone needing assistance with spoke length calculations.
What's New
Version 1.0.1: N/A