Wheel Building Question; Can a 32 hole rim be used with a 36 hole hub?

Question

This will be for a 26" coaster brake wheel bike, using lightweight alloy wheels.

Answer 1

I've heard of it being done the other way round, 32H hub onto a 36H rim, it required the spokes to be different lengths and angles from each other. Of course, lacing it with gaps on a hub would be less uneven than with gaps on a rim.

But in practice, my advice would be to buy a 36H rim, as it sound like you have a special hub so do it some justice! you can pick rims up on eBay for a good price, if you don't want to pay high street prices. Make sure you use decent spokes too, and build them 3 cross, to withstand the stopping force of the coaster brake.

Answer 2

Of course not! The rim is designed so that the spokes will support it evenly. Without some spokes, there will be weak spots, and an impact on one of these spots could make it buckle or in extreme cases crumple up. You will need to get a thirty six hole rim.

Answer 3

No, get the right rim.