On 22/06/2010 12:13 PM, mrrabbit(AT)mrrabbit.net wrote:
> My primary business is "Hand Built Basic and Replacement Alloy Bicycle
Wheels"
> thus making straight guage 2.0mm (14g) my primary spoke. Also, since
90% of my
>
> current custom builds for shops are for the fixie/single speed crowd -
the
> result is the same.
John Betmanis replied:
> Please explain. In my experience, all the higher quality vintage bikes
> had butted spokes. This is for weight saving, lower wind resistance
and
> that fact that they made a stronger, more resilient wheel. From all
I've
> read, straight gauge spokes do not make a stronger wheel. So, is it
just
> a misconception among the fixie crowd and heavy American riders that
> straight gauge spokes are the best? I equate straight gauge spokes
with
> cheap kids' and utility bikes.
I'm guessing "Basic and Replacement" means good serviceable wheels that are hand-built, yet holding the cost down. Straight gage (or gauge, but not guage) spokes must be cheaper to buy and build with than butted. Robert said he preferred butted for higher-end work.
John Hurley
Austin, Texas, USA