Black Ariel Spokes and Rims

[Roger Gwynn]

Brass nipples used with stainless spokes are nickle plated so available from your local friendly Ariel dealer. I don't know anyone supplying black spokes, a chemical blacking process could be used but it doesn't tend to last very long unless the bike isn't used or the parts are kept oiled. As far as I know there is no special reason for using 3-1 dimples, a standard 1-1 works, no doubt it gives a slightly better angle.

[Karol Burger]

with wheels from 1930 we often come across the 3 + 1 system But with wheels from 1928 I didn't notice it

[cmfalco]

What tyres are people using these days aswell?

For what it's worth, my 1928 Model C came to me with WM2 rims on the front and rear. For tires I use a 3.25×19" Avon Roadrider on the front and a 100/90×19" Avon Roadrider on the rear.

A total of 0.9 mm wore from the rear in the ~3000 miles I rode it across the U.S., leaving 3.3 mm. Since the minimum legal depth is 1/16" (1.6 mm), 1.7 mm remains before the tire will have to be replaced, which will take another 5,666 miles. This gives a total expected life of the rear Avon of ~8,700 miles.

[MGriffin]

What tyres are people using these days aswell?

For what it's worth, my 1928 Model C came to me with WM2 rims on the front and rear. For tires I use a 3.25×19" Avon Roadrider on the front and a 100/90×19" Avon Roadrider on the rear.

A total of 0.9 mm wore from the rear in the ~3000 miles I rode it across the U.S., leaving 3.3 mm. Since the minimum legal depth is 1/16" (1.6 mm), 1.7 mm remains before the tire will have to be replaced, which will take another 5,666 miles. This gives a total expected life of the rear Avon of ~8,700 miles.

Thanks for the feedback.
Michael.

[MGriffin]

WM2 by 19" it is. and I use Dunlop TT100 on my Ariel, very nice roadholding but wears a bit rapid.

reg. spokes, when did Ariel start with this 3 to 1 system? was that already in the Black Ariel era ?

Hi there Vincent,
Excuse my ignorance but what is the 3-1 or 3x1 or 3+1 arrangement you speak of?
is this a lacing thing or a rim hole punching thing?
M.

[Vincent.vanGinneke]

Hello Michael, it's about the way the spoke holes are drilled (punched?) in the dimples.
With a 3-1 the rim has 3 spoke holes in line and 1 not in line, Alternating .
Possibly used by Ariel from beginning thirties as I now just learned (Thanks Roger, Karol)
But it eludes me why....

[MGriffin]

Hello Michael, it's about the way the spoke holes are drilled (punched?) in the dimples.
With a 3-1 the rim has 3 spoke holes in line and 1 not in line, Alternating .
Possibly used by Ariel from beginning thirties as I now just learned (Thanks Roger, Karol)
But it eludes me why....

Ok thanks. I’ll go and look at some rims to see.

[cmfalco]

Again, I don't know if they are original, but the front spokes on my 1928 Model C are 0.130"-diameter and the rear are 0.145". The front wheel is laced with a cross 4 pattern and the rear with cross 2. For both wheels every other dimple alternates sides, although it is a bit easier to see on the photograph of the front wheel at the top.

[cmfalco]

Again, I don't know if they are original, but the front spokes on my 1928 Model C are 0.130"-diameter and the rear are 0.145". The front wheel is laced with a cross 4 pattern and the rear with cross 2. For both wheels every other dimple alternates sides, although it is a bit easier to see on the photograph of the front wheel at the top.

Ariel_spokes.jpg

If the dimensions I found on-line are correct, and allowing for uncertainty of paint thicknesses, my front spokes appear to be 10 gauge (0.124"), and the rear 9 gauge (0.142"). Although a cross 2 pattern is weaker by some amount that I haven't tried to find, the additional diameter of the rear spokes gives each of them ~30% additional strength over the front ones.

[MGriffin]

Again, I don't know if they are original, but the front spokes on my 1928 Model C are 0.130"-diameter and the rear are 0.145". The front wheel is laced with a cross 4 pattern and the rear with cross 2. For both wheels every other dimple alternates sides, although it is a bit easier to see on the photograph of the front wheel at the top.

Ariel_spokes.jpg

If the dimensions I found on-line are correct, and allowing for uncertainty of paint thicknesses, my front spokes appear to be 10 gauge (0.124"), and the rear 9 gauge (0.142"). Although a cross 2 pattern is weaker by some amount that I haven't tried to find, the additional diameter of the rear spokes gives each of them ~30% additional strength over the front ones.

Many thanks for the feedback.
M.