The Rayons Story
In my previous wheel-building, I used several online and app-based spoke length calculators.They all worked, but all had issues. So, as an iOS developer, I decided to write my own. I wanted to take some of the frustration out of finding the spoke length for a bicycle wheel.
My first effort (creatively named “Bicycle Spoke Length Calculator") was mainly a testing framework for my calculator algorithm. After many iterations and rigorous testing, this code lives on in the Rayons app.
But the real work for the new Rayons app was to address the issues of previous calculators by designing and building an interface that was intuitive and fluid.
Early design ideas
Design Goals
A clean, streamlined Interface. Each of the three wheel components - rims, spokes and hubs - is covered in a separate screen that shows only what is necessary for that step. For example, we show how ERD appears in relation to the rim in the Rims screens. And each screen shows only the controls needed to make a change.
Intuitive, fluid input. A number of input parameters are required to calculate spoke length. And if you are building a set of two wheels, that number doubles. Entering numbers, often with decimal points, into text boxes can be problematic and frustrating. To create a better interface, I used my background in mechanical drawing to illustrate abstract things, such as ERD, Spoke Crosses and Flange Offset. And I developed custom sliders for data entry.
Dynamic feedback. Each screen shows graphically how each measurement or parameter affects each component. The power of software allows dynamic manipulation of the drawings. For example, we can show what happens when we increase the Flange Offset or the Flange Diameter.
Real-time output. We always have all of the input parameters, so there is no need to make calculation a separate step with its own button - we show the resultant Spoke Lengths in real-time.
You will not find a “Calculate” button in the Rayons app and you will not miss it!
A Rayons Hubs screen in Dark Mode.
A Complete Package
It’s one thing to create a new and visual way to calculate a spoke length. But in order to complete the package there needs to be more. The Rayons app allows you to save, restore and search your “wheel set” configurations. In addition, the app contains a “how to” primer, technical information about wheels and the spoke length formula used, and instructions for making accurate measurements of components.
A Rayons Information screen in Dark Mode.