Spokes: DT vs. Sapim vs. Alpina

Have any of you had a chance to compare straight 2.0 or 2.0/1.8/2.0
spokes for these brands? I'm a heavy guy and it's time to build
another heavy duty wheel. Any tips appreciated.

Mike

Mike wrote:
Have any of you had a chance to compare straight 2.0 or 2.0/1.8/2.0
spokes for these brands? I'm a heavy guy and it's time to build
another heavy duty wheel. Any tips appreciated.

Pass on the straight gauge spokes. Use the 14/15 spokes. If you are a
big guy, use plenty of them 36.
---------------
Alex

Mike wrote:

Have any of you had a chance to compare straight 2.0 or 2.0/1.8/2.0
spokes for these brands? I'm a heavy guy and it's time to build
another heavy duty wheel. Any tips appreciated.

Mike

I've had two pairs of DT spoked wheels, and one pair of Sapim.

Don't know if there's any difference while building - my local
wheelbuilder built all three sets for me - he had brands in stock, and
no strong preference either way, so each time I went with the cheaper
brand on the day.

I haven't broken any spokes, nor had any other problems with any of the
6 wheels since I got 'em, but that's probably more to do with the
quality of the build rather than anything to do with the spokes
themselves.

I'd say the number of spokes (28/32/36) is more important than the
difference between brands.

Conventional 2x/3x and 32 DB spokes front and rear has always done me
well, and I'm no lightweight hill-climbing type.

Use good quality conventional brass nipples as well - ignore alu.
options, I've seen nothing but grief from them for a very small weight
saving.

hh,

bookieb

On Fri, 04 Aug 2006 14:42:54 GMT, Mike wrote:

Have any of you had a chance to compare straight 2.0 or 2.0/1.8/2.0
spokes for these brands? I'm a heavy guy and it's time to build
another heavy duty wheel. Any tips appreciated.

I've built a few wheels with Sapim, and have another pair that was
built with DT; I can't tell any difference in durability because I've
had no failures with either. I would go with 36 spokes regardless,
and I'd have no qualms about using the butted spokes.

--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
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"Mike" wrote in message
...
Have any of you had a chance to compare straight 2.0 or 2.0/1.8/2.0
spokes for these brands? I'm a heavy guy and it's time to build
another heavy duty wheel. Any tips appreciated.

Mike



I'm a big guy too. I've never broken a quality spoke, either Stainless
Steel or Union galvanized steel spokes. This included cyclocross sewups
and 700c off road riding with light jumping.

I use DT 14 gage straight gage spokes in the rear and 14/15 in the
front. I use only 36 spoke wheels and I like 4 cross low or medium
flange because I prefer the added flex and shock absorption, especially
on a stiff frame.

I've seen a few of the very lightest gage Robergal stainless spokes
break but never DT. I'm not familiar with the other brands.

Chas.

On Fri, 04 Aug 2006 14:42:54 GMT, Mike wrote:

Have any of you had a chance to compare straight 2.0 or 2.0/1.8/2.0
spokes for these brands? I'm a heavy guy and it's time to build
another heavy duty wheel. Any tips appreciated.

Mike

Dear Mike,

There's a chart at the bottom of this page:

http://oddsandendos.safeshopper.com/20/cat20.htm?987

Have a careful look at actual center widths for the four butted 2.0mm
spokes:

DT Swiss Competition 1.8
WheelSmith DB 14 1.7
Sapim Race 1.8

DT Swiss Super Comp 1.7

All three are good brands, but notice that two of the four models are
actually 2.0 x 1.7 x 2.0. Being thinner, they'll stretch and wind-up
more easily than the thicker 1.8 center section spokes.

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

wrote:
All three are good brands, but notice that two of the four models are
actually 2.0 x 1.7 x 2.0. Being thinner, they'll stretch and wind-up
more easily than the thicker 1.8 center section spokes.

Windup can be annoying, but stretch is a good thing. I think 2.0/1.7
spokes are a good size. Some are 2.0/1.5mm you know...

Last wheels I built used WS 2.0/1.7 spokes... no issues.

Mike wrote:
Have any of you had a chance to compare straight 2.0 or 2.0/1.8/2.0
spokes for these brands? I'm a heavy guy and it's time to build
another heavy duty wheel. Any tips appreciated.

Mike


i have samples of all 3 brands. from a production theory viewpoint, i'd
go sapim, alpina, d.t., in that order.

the first two have the butted region formed by drawing, just like the
wire itself. d.t. is formed by hammering which does the job, but
doesn't necessarily expose flaws like the drawing process will.

alpina and d.t. have mandrel bending marks on the spoke elbow area. the
sapim doesn't appear to have marks - which in theory is the best
possible starting point from a fatigue viewpoint.

all 3 are supposed to be made from very high quality stainless steels.

in terms of ride, you'll not notice any differences between any of the
brands if they're all the same sizes. unless you're really huge, i
wouldnt' worry too much about the weight thing. go straight gauge on
drive side rear if you have a problem with shimmy. make sure spoke
tension is per the rim manufacturer's specification.

On Fri, 04 Aug 2006 17:28:39 -0700, jim beam wrote:

in terms of ride, you'll not notice any differences between any of the
brands if they're all the same sizes. unless you're really huge, i
wouldnt' worry too much about the weight thing. go straight gauge on
drive side rear if you have a problem with shimmy.

What on Earth do you think straight gauge spokes will do that will affect
shimmy? There is absolutely no reason to use straight gauge spokes as
opposed to double butted spokes, and certainly no effect on shimmy.

Of all the myth and lore that masquerades as advice, the discussion of
shimmy is the worst.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | What is objectionable, and what is dangerous about extremists is
_`\(,_ | not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant.
(_)/ (_) | --Robert F. Kennedy

On Fri, 04 Aug 2006 19:48:57 -0500, "David L. Johnson"
wrote:

What on Earth do you think straight gauge spokes will do that will affect
shimmy? There is absolutely no reason to use straight gauge spokes as
opposed to double butted spokes, and certainly no effect on shimmy.

Of all the myth and lore that masquerades as advice, the discussion of
shimmy is the worst.

Dear David,

I have no opinion about shimmy, but I did enjoy the contrast between
what you wrote above and your signature quote:

What is objectionable, and what is dangerous about extremists
is not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant.
--Robert F. Kennedy

Cheers,

Carl Fogel