Originally Posted by
lostarchitect
The main difference, assuming you will be using quality components even in the lower cost build, will be weight. The more expensive wheel will be lighter. Regarding spokes, butted spokes will be both stronger and lighter than straight gauge, for only a small price increase. I would definetly use DB spokes, as I do for all of my own wheelbuilds.
As far as suggestions go, well, if you're touring on the thing you will notice the weight after a while. Might be good to go on the lighter side. For a commuter it wouldn't matter as much.
I don't think you can properly say that butted spokes are stronger than straight gauge. I think the proper statement is that butted spokes are more durable. Simply stated the force pulling on a butted spoke that will sever it is less than the force that will sever a straight gauge spoke. Similarly for the somewhat lower force that will not break it but still permanently deform it. Greater for the straight gauge spoke. Assuming of course the straight gauge spoke is a large diameter over its entire length than the butted spoke is in its reduced diameter region. The increased durability comes from the greater elongation that the butted spoke undergoes under the same tension as the straight gauge spoke. That elongation helps protect the butted spoke from going slack repeatedly and fatiguing over time.