I think that part of the bad rap that Robergel Trois Étoiles (3 Étoiles or 3 Star) spokes received was because they were available in very thin diameters and many times misapplied.
The few broken ones that I've run across over the years were French 10 or 11 gage spokes that were 1.5mm or 1.6mm in the thin section.
One of the brands that I haven't seen discussed here were the US made Torrington spokes. We had good luck with them.
Chas. Colerich Oakland, CA USA
billydavid13 wrote:
> ----- Forwarded Message -----
> From: billydavid13@comcast.net
> To: "marcus e helman"
> Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 12:35:18 PM
> Subject: Re: [CR] Spoke questions
>
> Hi Marcus. The Robergel 3 star spokes were reputed to be stretchy, justly so in my opinion. Union were better but i believe that was a plated spoke. The modern stainless spokes mentioned by listers are superior. I'm not sure there's any good reason for not building a wheel 3X which would allow shorter spokes. If you're determined to be period correct, i'd go w/ the Unions. And even though a lot of classic wheels were built 4x, 3x was also common. Personally i build my rears 3x, 14/15 [e.g. DT Competition] and my fronts 2x 14/17 w/ alloy nipples [e.g. DT Revolution.] Butted spokes are arguably better, easier to build, [less windup] and more resilient as well as lighter. Good luck. Billy [who generally enjoys rehashing old themes and often finds Google searches impersonal and less than helpful] Ketchum; Chicago, IL; USA.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "marcus e helman"
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 9:38:26 AM
> Subject: [CR] Spoke questions
>
> I am getting ready to build a set of wheels, but locating spokes has
> turned out to be a bit of a challenge. I am building 4 cross on
> Campagnolo Nuovo Record low flange, which means I need 305 or 306mm. So,
> a couple of questions:
>
> Can I reuse the old spokes? I once built wheels on used rims, and I have
> regretted it.
> When I was a kid Robergel Trois Etoiles were considered the best, but
> recently I have heard them disparaged. Are they any good?
> What about Berg-Union?
> Does anyone have a source for DT, or Wheelsmith double-butted spokes in my
> size?
>
>
> Best regards,
> Marcus Helman
> Royal Oak, MI
>
>
>
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