Cool thread with lots of helpful detail!

I'm about to hand a rear wheel back to a friend that I just rebuilt with double-butted DT spokes. She's a small/light woman and was having chronic spoke breakage issues...tells you something about the build quality on low-end factory wheels.

Are the DT Alpine III spokes still available? Harris Cyclery said awhile ago that they're gone forever.

Also, I'd add that a neat idea (which I'll be trying for the first time on my next wheelset) is to use asymmetric rims like the ones made by Velocity...they dramatically even out the left/right tension ratio (to about 85% or so in my build) for the rear wheel, according to Spocalc.

Better yet, go single speed or internal gear and forget about rear wheel dish altogether! (duck and cover)