Bicycle Mechanics - More Wheelbuilding Spoke length?

How do you buy spokes for a 700 c wheel buildup
Is there a standard spoke length for a 3 cross setup.
My LBS wants a buck a spoke. I can do better online

George

The spoke length will depend on the hubs and rims you're using.

Spocalc (http://www.damonrinard.com/spocalc.htm) has a pretty complete database of hubs and rims, or if your hubs and/or rims aren't in the spocalc database, Damon Rinard tells you how to measure them.

You could go to the LBS and have them calculate the spoke length. Oh wait, you don't want to buy the spokes from them, so if you have any integrity you will not ask them to do the calculations and then buy the product elsewhere.
Looks like you need to calculate the lengths using one of the many online calculators. Figure out the ERD, hub center, and flange dia. Now find an online calculator and figure it out. Then call the online dealer and order them.

I've built up some wheels and the times I've had problems with spoke lengths is when I've trusted someone else (LBS,etc) to calculate them. Whenever I've used spocalc or the Dan Halem online calculator they've come out just right. Just make sure you measure the hubs right and know the rim dimenions before you use the program; the old carpenter's advice, "measure twice, cut once" applies. Most online spoke sellers won't accept returns for obvious reasons. Also, although the spocalc program has a database of rims and hubs, it never hurts to double check the measurements.

This is super thank you! This is exactly what I was looking for....

I also use spocalc.

A buck a spoke is not bad if they are double-butted. My LBS charges $1.50/spoke for double-butted when bought in small quantiies and $18/16 spokes. I actually bought some yesterday and rebuilt a 20+ year-old wheel.

Also, make sure you measure before building. I was on vacation with my bike a couple weeks ago and broke a spoke. I got a new spoke in the small town I was staying in. I told the mech I needed 298mm and he sold me a spoke. I put it in myself at the motel but had trouble getting a high spot out of the wheel at the new spoke. On the next day's ride, the nipple at the same-side adjacent spoke failed. After getting home and disassembling the wheel, I found that the new spoke was actually 301mm. Stupid mech!

I've also mail-ordered spokes not carried by my LBS (my LBS didn't have Revolutions in the lengths I needed) and have been sent an incorrect mix of lengths (I needed 14 300mm and 14 302mm and they initially sent 13 300mm and 15 302mm) so check before building.