Wheel build - 2 cross vs 3 cross spoke pattern

[ScotHill]

For some reason when I built my wheels a few years ago I did them all 2 cross spoke pattern. But now when I look it up on the web most sites recommend 3 cross spoke pattern, as does my local bike shop. I'm not sure why I went with 2 cross last time but is there really that much difference in strength or performance?

[anonymous-user]

It depends...

How have your wheels been for you?

Enve wrote a bit about the use of radial, 2x, 3x

https://enve.com/journal/building-a-faster-wheel/

[ScotHill]

No problems - they go round and they haven't broken, beyond that I'm not fussy. I'll have a look at the article. I may have chosen 2 cross because it's easier to string up... ?

[anonymous-user]

If you are building your own, why not have a go at a radial front and a 3x rear

or 2x / 3x on the cassette side and radial on the soft side for the rear?

Like these, for example https://www.campagnolo.com/UK/en/Wheels/wheel_neut...

[ScotHill]

I'll stick to 3x both sides, seems the most common, it's only a 10mile commuter bike.

The spoke measurements come out to 283.4mm one side and 284.7 on the other - would I be okay using 284mm for both sides? It's a recessed rim so no danger of long spokes sticking into the innertube or anything like that.

[anonymous-user]

I would be starting with 284 too. Won't be far off and if the recess is sufficient, there should be no problem