Two-spoke steering wheels used to be popular in vehicles, especially those made during the 80’s. It’s unclear why manufacturers choose certain steering wheel designs over others, but it can affect a steering wheel’s ergonomics and function. Nowadays, most modern vehicles use a three-spoke steering wheel design.
Why are vehicle manufacturers shifting between different steering wheel designs? Do two-spoke steering wheels offer any disadvantages? Why do modern vehicle manufacturers prefer three-spoke steering wheels?
Two-spoke steering wheels use two struts or supports to connect the center hub to the circular handle. These spokes are typically located around the nine and three o’clock positions, allowing the driver to use the spokes as a place to rest their hands or fingers while driving. Some vehicles have designs that put the spokes on the 10 and two o’clock positions or eight and four o’clock positions.
Two-spoke steering wheels found in vintage vehicles made the vehicle look clean since they had very thin dimensions. The reduced spoke count and thin dimensions allowed drivers to have a better view of the gauge cluster. The lack of a third spoke on the six o’clock position also allowed the driver to rest their hand on the lowest point of the steering wheel without turning the wheel on one side.
Some vehicles also have 4-spoke steering wheel designs, which are quite similar to two-spoke designs, but simply split each spoke on each side into two.
Old steering wheels were thinner, and made of hard materials. Modern steering wheels are bulkier and are usually made of softer materials or covered by leather and cushioning, making them feel more supple and premium to hold.
Having more spokes connecting the rim to the central hub can make the entire steering wheel more rigid. This is important because when a driver is turning the steering wheel, they can exert pushing or pulling motions on it and cause it to bend or move. Nobody wants a steering wheel that wobbles. Three-spoke steering wheel designs might be more popular because they have more spokes to support the rim and make them more rigid.
The number of spokes is going to affect your steering wheel’s ergonomics. For example, a 4-spoke steering wheel can allow a driver to rest their hand in the six o’clock position. This is the lowest point of the steering wheel, so resting your hands here won’t turn the steering wheel left or right.
One potential reason why modern steering wheels have gone away from two-spoke designs is because people prefer the feel of having the third spoke at the bottom. Yes, it prevents you from holding the steering wheel in the six o’clock position, but it gives you a place to wedge your hand at the bottom part of your steering wheel. When turning the wheel, you can simply wedge your hand and push the spoke. Without a spoke at the six o’clock position, the user will need to rely on gripping the rim.
Two-spoke steering wheels might not look as complete and proportional as three-spoke designs for some people. The popularity of three-spoke designs makes them a go-to choice for vehicle designers. Not subscribing to the trend can make a vehicle’s steering wheel appear quirky or odd.
In the end, steering wheel designs are subjective. Drivers who have driven different kinds of steering wheels with different numbers of spokes might not have a preference for a single design. However, spoke counts do still make a difference to a steering wheel’s looks, structure, and ergonomics. Considering people are going to constantly look at their steering wheel, vehicle designers are constantly trying to come up with the best steering wheel design.
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