Originally Posted by
BikeWise1
I'd use the DT Champion with spoke head washers or the Alpine III without. Wheelsmiths are OK, but their spoke runs a slightly thinner center at 1.7mm.
I avoid straight gauge spokes. I feel they exist for price considerations, not strength.
I'm also a DT fan over Wheelsmith, but I build all my wheels with Champion 2.0 (14ga) straight spokes. At 225 - 230 pounds and an agressive hill climber, I don't like the wheel flex I can feel in a pair of Competition or Alpine spokes. Standing and hammering up a hill, or throwing the bike back and forth in a sprint puts a lot of pressure on the wheel and I feel that the stiffness gained from using a straight gauge spoke more than makes up for the lack of compliance when hitting road hazards like potholes, etc. I rely more on my tires (28mm) to soak up chatter and mild impact issues than the spokes.