Originally Posted by
CliftonGK1
Good, solid reasoning. Care to explain why straight gauge spokes suck?
I'm not a big fan of double butted spokes. I build with straight gauge because I build exclusively singlespeed wheels that I know I'm going to be cranking a lot of lateral force on as I stand and rock the bike on steep climbs. Straight gauge spokes create a build with less flex and forgiveness, so if you're looking for something to help dampen road chatter, they're not it. Instead, I rely on higher volume tires (32mm) to smooth out the ride.
Even when I rode geared bikes I built with straight gauge. In countless tens of thousands of miles, probably even reaching the 6-figure mileage range when you add up all my riding over the decades, I've broken a grand total of 2 spokes (which I can't attribute to something specific like an accident or flubbing a landing after hucking off a loading dock.)
Aside from being heavy and relatively inelastic by comparison, what's wrong with straight gauge?
Thanks for biting on that one first Clifton. I was going to respond but thought better of it. I've been building and riding with straight gauge for decades. Straight spokes work fine at half the cost per spoke of butted and last just as long when properly used. So I'm curious why they suck. Maybe I can learn something here.