Originally Posted by
67tony
Question: Is it a good idea to use thinner spokes on the non-drive side of the rear wheel?
I've also got questions about patterns, spoke type, spoke lengths, etc...but will probably start a separate thread.
Go double butted 14/15 /14ga (2.0/1.8/2.0mm) and 3-cross all around.
No reason to do anything else, unless you're using 28 or 24 spokes per wheel. It's the classic standard because it works the best. Especially if it's the first set you're building.
For 32 hole CR18s laced 3X to 5500 hubs, use 300mm in the front, 297 on the drive side and 298 on the NDS. If you go with 36, subtract 2mm from each spoke.
Download SpoCalc from Sheldon Brown site. It's an excel spreadsheet that's got a great database of hubs and rims, and it's easy to use.