An improved wheel construction with a peripheral wheel rim, a central hub with a hub flange and a plurality of spokes extending between the rim and hub, wherein the spokes have a first peripheral portion connected to the rim and a second portion opposed to the first portion. At least one of the spokes is a duplex spoke, including two structural spans extending between the rim and hub with a common portion connected to the hub flange. The duplex spoke includes a portion to directly engage the hub flange.