Spokes

[bikenut]

Looking to do a build with DT Comp DB(2.0/1.8/2.0) spokes. A newer version is out called Dt Comp Race DB(2.0/1.6/2.0) spokes. They claim to be a 70g savings. Will the build be much more difficult?

[Grant McLean]

The lighter central section will have a small tendency to 'wind up' a bit more,
but if you have experience tensioning spokes, it's not that hard to deal with.

My personal preference for all-around 28 or 32 spoke wheels would be 2.0/1.7/2.0
spokes like the Wheelsmith double butted model. I think that is the best
balance of strength, stiffness, and weight.

[JAGI410]

70 whole grams?!?!

[bikenut]

Originally Posted by JAGI410

70 whole grams?!?!

I could always get a haircut.

[bfd]

Originally Posted by Grant McLean

The lighter central section will have a small tendency to 'wind up' a bit more,
but if you have experience tensioning spokes, it's not that hard to deal with.

My personal preference for all-around 28 or 32 spoke wheels would be 2.0/1.7/2.0
spokes like the Wheelsmith double butted model. I think that is the best
balance of strength, stiffness, and weight.

Another option is to get some 1.8mm/1.6mm aka 15/16 spokes. Not sure of weight savings, but definitely lighter than 2.0mm/1.8mm or 14/15. Built well, they make an excellent wheel.

I'm at 200lb and had a rear wheel built with 1.8/1.6 spokes and it is my strongest most durable rear wheel! But it was built by one of the best builders in my area. So ymmv! Good Luck!

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by bikenut

Looking to do a build with DT Comp DB(2.0/1.8/2.0) spokes. A newer version is out called Dt Comp Race DB(2.0/1.6/2.0) spokes. They claim to be a 70g savings. Will the build be much more difficult?

.2mm thinner than standard 2/1.8/2 and .1 of a mm thicker then Revolutions..the butted section may be shorter ala Revolutions also(haven't looked at the spoke) but if you have some wheelbuulding experience, not an issue(nor are Lasers/DT Revs)..BUT more $, and 70 grams may or may not be accurate but about the weight of a PowerBar..not worth the $, IMHO.

Sapim Race, DT Comp are the best, considering all, in MHO.

As for right above, 1.8/1.6/1.8 double butts can do a great job, but relatively hard to find, weight savings is teeny/tiny and with a lot of hubs these days, with a spoke hole in 2.3mm range, spoke washers are almost always called for with these dbt butts. Easy to find and use but...they may add 5-6 grams...ouch!!!

[Mark McM]

Like Grant said, the thinner the middle section, the more wind up you'll get when turning the nipples. A 2.0/1.6/2.0 spoke will wind up more than a 2.0/1.8/2.0 spoke, or even a 2.0/1.7/2.0 spoke, but a little less than a 2.0/1.5/2.0 spoke.

In addition, thinner spokes can make a flexier wheel (all else being equal), so this must also be taken into consideration when selecting spokes.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Mark McM

Like Grant said, the thinner the middle section, the more wind up you'll get when turning the nipples. A 2.0/1.6/2.0 spoke will wind up more than a 2.0/1.8/2.0 spoke, or even a 2.0/1.7/2.0 spoke, but a little less than a 2.0/1.5/2.0 spoke.

In addition, thinner spokes can make a flexier wheel (all else being equal), so this must also be taken into consideration when selecting spokes.

Quite true, just for giggles I built a rear wheel(36h) with left side Revolution spokes, right side DT Comp, same Campagnolo tubie rim as another and I can tell it's 'softer'.