32h hub onto a 16h rim??

Hey all,

So I've got a carbon track rear wheel that needs a new hub... I've tried googling and searching, but noone seems to have any definitive answer as to whether I can use a 32h hub and just have it laced every other hole to the 16 rim, or whether that would incur too much stress on the holes without spokes and result in large amounts of death.

Failing that, does anyone know anywhere I can actually get a 16h rear hub from?

Or, would it be easier to just use a 16h front hub and sell it on as a single front wheel? Do you get specific rims for front and rear (its got a CNC'd wall for brakes already)

Cheers in advance for any help you can offer :)

Technically there should not be too many issues. If you're not confident about building it yourself there are plenty of good wheelbuilders around and they should do the job.

I have a lovely pair of Campy record high flange track hubs on my fixed. I didnt realise when I bought the hubs that they were 36/40h so a search ensued for a 40 hole rim. My local bike shop in Acton procured NOS 40h rims and built them up. There is no problem despite the missing 4 spoke holes and the wheels ride like a dream.

This doesnt really answer your question but I hope it gives you reassurance

I don't really have the time/ability to make up some wheels myself, but I've heard that bike shops like you to have the hub and rim for them to build up for them... and if I can source one at a cheaper rate, then it'll only be the labour that I'll take the hit on.

Do you know whether I could just make it into a front wheel? I can't see any issues with doing that...

If you're going to sell it, sell it as a rim, not as a front wheel that you've spent money on.

Very good point, Rusty... guess I've gota decide as to whether I want a matching set or different front/rear wheels...

No problem using a 32 hole hub as long as you don't go for some superlight job with skinny flanges. Royce do custom-drilled hubs but they're pricey. Building a 16 hole rear wheel to a carbon rim requires a fair level of skill as tension needs to be quite high and even, otherwise overdoing the tension can crack the rim. No problem using it as front - few carbon rims have assymetric spoke hole drilling.