Marcus,
Sorry to hear about your dilemma. A personal opinion as per your spoke question. You don't mention your weight, the rim type and # of spokes, but personally I'd recommend the lighter spokes over the 14 gauge straight. I personally find wheels built that heavily (with the 14's) rather dead feeling, and although the 15-17-15s might flex a bit more side to side if sprinting the wheels will also feel somewhat livelier/springy.
All this assumes you are not extremely heavy and are not intending this wheel for extreme service. For context, I'm ~155 lbs and pretty easy on my equipment.
YMMV, Cheers,
David Bilenkey Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
> -----Original Message-----
> From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org
> [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org]On Behalf Of
> marcus.e.helman@gm.com
> Sent: June 7, 2004 9:19 AM
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: [CR]Replacing forks?
>
snipped
> Another question: the wheel had 15 gauge spokes. I was offered 14 gauge,
> or 15-17-15 double-butted replacements. I seem to recall being told that
> double-butted spokes had inherent weaknesses and stretch at the points of
> attenuation. Obviously the quality of the wheel build itself is the most
> important thing, but what is your opinion on spoke gauge and profile?
>
> Marcus Helman
> Pissed off in Huntington Woods, MI