High Fist Shin

Hello, folks.

I'm learning to build wheels and having a fun time so far. Here is my first attempt at a 3 cross 36 hole wheel:

Before:



After:







It turned out pretty good and now I'm looking to build some more. My question is, does anyone know where I can buy SS or even UCP spokes in bulk at a good price? I'm looking for straight gauge 2.0mm spokes right now.

Thanks for your help.

-Shin

Retro Grouch 

I can buy most bike parts at wholesale, but I boughe spokes for my last several wheel builds from Wheelbuilder.com. They have a minimum purchase amount, but they will sell you the exact number of spokes that you need. For me, that costed out a little better than buying a wholesale lot of spokes that I may never use.

By the way, I'm a believer in using good quality spokes. Most of my wheel builds use DT Competitions. Building a wheel is a fair amount of work. It doesn't make sense to me to risk my labor by using inferior spokes.

Mike T.

What numbers are you looking at for "bulk"? I can send you in the direction of very good stainless spokes (Sapim) in either large or small numbers once we have a place to start.

zzyzx_xyzzy

Usually the problem is getting few enough for one wheel.... "bulk" you can buy boxes of 72 or 144 at lots of places.

I get Sapim spokes from Bike Tools Etc. in bags of 20 for good prices. Dan's Comp will sell them piecemeal as well if you call them.

davidad

Why not go for butted spokes? They build a better wheel. https://www.cambriabike.com/shopdispl...es+and+Nipples

operator

If you aren't planning on building a lot of wheels, stocking enough spokes in bulk to achieve many different lengths you will need isn't very economical if that's what you're worried about

High Fist Shin

I'll be building 6 sets of 36 hole wheels. So 432 spokes.

operator

And they're all the same length?

High Fist Shin

That's what I was looking for. I wasn't sure if spokes were sold in large packs, but 72 and 144 boxes would be ideal.

I will eventually. I know that butted spokes are better, they also cost more and I'm currently unemployed. So I'm trying to make the most with what little cash I have.

I just got to thinking about bulk spokes because three of the wheel sets will use the same hubs and rims. Those 72 spoke boxes would work out great for this project.

High Fist Shin

Three of the sets will be. The other three sets are different and might require buying bags of 20 with a few left over for spares. All 6 wheel sets are 36 hole.

-Shin

High Fist Shin

Thanks for your reply. I would like to use butted SS spokes, but they are more expensive and I'm working with a small budget. I will definately checkout Wheelbuilder.com.

-Shin

georgewietor

I found Sapim butted spokes through a Chicago ebay supplier. Very happy with price and service. He buys 500 spokes in a given size. Let me know if you need a link. George




QUOTE=Machin Shin;10131960]Thanks for your reply. I would like to use butted SS spokes, but they are more expensive and I'm

noglider 

Also check out https://myworld.ebay.com/the_bikesmiths/ for custom size spokes.

How can one wheelset use the same size spokes? I used to build wheels with DT spokes which had short threaded sections. I needed three sizes: front, rear-left, and rear-right. Do spokes have longer threaded sections now?

When I was a wheel builder, I fell in love with DT spokes, because I had never used a spoke as good. I hear Wheelsmith spokes are as good as DT.

operator

The front and one side of the rear usually are the same or extremely close.

noglider 

Well, my knowledge could be quite out of date. I haven't been a shop-employed mechanic since 1984! I think the left-right difference was about 2mm. Are wheels dished less than before? I was working with mostly 126mm OLD hubs then. There were a lot of Campy hubs then. It was a high-end shop. No freehubs at the time.

gerv 

There are a number of eBay vendors who sell small quantities (usually 18-20) of butted DT spokes for <$1 each.

I've bought from this vendor https://cgi.ebay.com/DT-SWISS-COMPETI...item3ca83904e4

The only hassle is that eBay doesn't easily allow you to tell the vendor that you need 289mm length, so you end up having to email the vendor asking if he has the size, before you order.

Soil_Sampler

+ free ship over $75

https://aebike.com/parts-accessories-...pokes-t470.htm

Mike T.

Give my buddy Thorsten a call and tell him I sent you. Don't speak to anyone else there but him. He's a Sapim distributor -
Tel: 618 393 2955
618-395-3840
800-222-8356
Fax: 618 393 2956
sales@khsbicycleparts.com
www.ThorUSA.com

I got someone a deal on 500 spokes (all the same length) recently and the price surprised even me. He'll sell lots as low as 20 per bag but at a higher price.

operator

That hasn't changed much actually. It sitll is ~ 2mm difference from right left on traditional hubs on "regular" rims.

High Fist Shin

This was my experience with the wheels I built in the first post. Front was 299mm, rear was 297 and 298. This was a 120mm rear hub and 100mm front.

-Shin

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I appreciate the help.