Bicycle Mechanics - Sapim 14/17 db spokes?

Anyone tried the Sapim brand 14/17 double butted spokes? Now that Wheelsmith is impossible to find and Sapims are available in bags of 20 at a reasonable price, I thought I might try it. I have been buying 14/15 ST Swiss spokes with nipples for $70 a box of 100 from a local bike shop. I hate buying two boxes of two sizes just to build up one set of wheels. Sapim website says not to fear the thin middle section. I'm 152 lbs anyway so weight shouldn't be too much of a factor. I also know how to build up a tight road wheel.

Garth

Don't know particularly about Sapim but Wheelsmith XL14 and DT Revolutions are both 14/17/14 and have a good reputation for reliability. I put 30,000 miles on a pair of 32 hole 3x laced Mavic CXP33 rims with Wheelsmith XL14 spokes and never broke one.

I'm glad you asked this question. Just this evening I was pricing spokes and the Sapim are very reasonable, but I've never heard anything about them. Only wheelsmith and DT.

Also, I have used DT spokes (2.0-1.5) in the past, and have extra nipples that fit them. Would the nipples fit Sapim if I use the same size spoke?

I've ridden them off and on for years. In fact, our wheel sponsor (Novatech) uses them so we are training and racing on them now. So far, no issues of any kind. In the past they have proven themselves to be good, quality spokes. Go ahead and give them a whirl.

I haven't used the 14/17/14s, but I use the 14/15/14s pretty regularly. Easy to build and haven't broken one yet. They're a quality spoke. Posties rode them for a while (if that matters).

You are pretty light for the typical rider? Shouldn't be a problem. I am over 200lbs and will only use 14/15 double butted spokes. Can't really remember the last time I broke a spoke and I ride 4 to 6K miles in a year. I have run the heavier straight gauge spokes and found they had to be tweeked every 6 months. I think double butted spokes are best. I have been building my own wheels for over 25 years.

Does anyone know who distributes Sapim? I loved Wheelsmith XL14's but Quality stopped carrying them. I like wheelsmith in general because they come in packs of 50 (instead of 100 like DT) and I feel that the butts are more consistant (and they look cooler)

USA SAPIM USA sapim@khsbicycleparts.com
www.khsbicycleparts.com fax: +1 618 393 2956
tel: +1 618 393 2955

USA CANE CREEK CYCLING COMPONENTS, Inc. info@canecreek.com
www.canecreek.com tel: +1 800 234 2725

http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=529480719386&c=Components&sc=Wheel-and-Rim&tc=Spokes/14/17/Double-Butted

Wheelsmith

http://www.bti-usa.com/list.asp?cat=SK&sec=SKSK&mfr=WM&page=&reuse=1&showSec=0&filter=&searchtype=&showGrp=WM472#open

I recently tried the DT Revolution spokes after building wheels with 14/15/14 for years, and I will caution you to use a slightly lower tension reading that you usually do. The thinner section will deflect more for a given tension. I didn't think about that, so my spokes were overtensioned and my front wheel failed. Other than that, they are plenty strong.