Originally Posted by cuda2k
Ok, one last question: suppose that 3/4 of the spokes I need are one length (298mm), and the last 1/4th of them (drive side rear) calculate out to 297mm. And I wanted to buy a box of 100, better to buy the longer or shorter length?
If you calculated out with 297mm as the shortest, just get a box of 100 of those. If you were off by +/- 1mm, it won't be too bad. However, if you came out -2mm too short, it's still OK, but +2mm too long will probably bottom out the nipple.
Personally, I like the Alpines the best for durability. The thicker 2.3mm end by the head gives the best fatigue-resistance and the butting allows more stretch for keeping the wheel true under more punishing conditions than straight-gauge. Although I've built up all my race wheels with 1.8/1.6/1.8mm spokes for the lightest wheels possible. They usually get trashed every 2-3 years from abuse and/or crashes before the spokes fatigue and break anyway.