Spoke Selection
Wheels can be laced using different numbers of spokes to influence their strength, weight, and ride quality. The more spokes used, the more the load is spread and the stronger the wheel should be.
The number of spokes required is determined by the hubs and rims you have selected. A 32 hole hub and rim will require 32 spokes per wheel, so 64 spokes in total for the pair of wheels.
Spoke options
Plain gauge—40p per spoke (silver)
Constructed from stainless steel and often used to build wheels where weight-saving is not an issue. They are slightly heavier than double-butted and offer a slightly stiffer ride because of their thicker cross section.
Double butted—£0.80 per spoke (silver), £1.19 per spoke (black)
We build with DT Swiss Competition or Sapim Laser. These are lightweight spokes that are thinner in the middle (going from 2mm to 1.8mm and back to 2mm again) to save weight and reduce ride stiffness without compromising on wheel strength. Ideal for long distance wheelset and for those wanting comfort on poor road surfaces.
Aero bladed—£2.65 (silver), £3.25 (black) per spoke
These have a flattened cross-section to reduce wind resistance. Suited to time-trial bikes and wheelsets intended for racing. We build with Sapim CX-Ray.
Triple butted—£0.80 per spoke
The strongest spokes available. We build with DT Swiss Alpine III spokes, which are suited to extreme riding conditions, touring, and heavy duty use.
|