>Greg actually uses primarily 15-gauge spokes himself, fwiw. Often straight-gauge, sometimes double-butted.
I respectfully submit that 15-gauge, straight gauge spokes present even more issues than straight 14 gauge. One of the common failure points for spokes is at the bend, especially if the spoke head has any room to move. Since most hubs have holes big enough for 14-gauge spokes, there is more room for the spoke to squirm and develop fatigue. And any straight-gauge spoke, whatever the thickness, will transmit more destructive force to the rim and the elbow than a butted spoke of the same elbow/thread thickness. The only time I vary from 2.0-1.8-2.0 butted spokes is where a rear hub has holes large enough for the DT Alpine 2.3-1.8-2.0, or for a light rider, if I can find an early production, NOS Record hub with holes so small that a 1.8 mm spoke is a tight fit -- and it's been 25 years since I have seen one of those.
Earle Young,
Madison, Wisc.