Spoke thickness and width
#1
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From: NW Peloponnese, Greece
Spoke thickness and width
I am trying to clarify spoke thickness and width
Shimano RS700-TL wheels with bladed spokes as an example
Spoke spec according to maker
FR 2.0-1.5-2.0 measured 2.0-1.1-2.0 (2.1 width)
REAR 2.0-1.8-2.0 measured 2.0-1.4-2.0 (2.3 width)
no width specified by maker.
I am measuring with dial calibers.
The two end numbers are the dia next to the thread and the opposite straight section near the hub (straight pull).
The middle number is the thickness, but I am measuring less than the spec in both cases.
No width is given.
I assume that these spokes start at 2.0 mm and are extruded to the desired thickness which also would determine the width. In other words, thickness and width are related for a certain gauge.
The Parktool chart shows 2 or 3 numbers
Steel blade 1.0x3.2 or other bladed spoke 1.0x2.5-2.7
Is my understanding correct or am I missing something?
Shimano RS700-TL wheels with bladed spokes as an example
Spoke spec according to maker
FR 2.0-1.5-2.0 measured 2.0-1.1-2.0 (2.1 width)
REAR 2.0-1.8-2.0 measured 2.0-1.4-2.0 (2.3 width)
no width specified by maker.
I am measuring with dial calibers.
The two end numbers are the dia next to the thread and the opposite straight section near the hub (straight pull).
The middle number is the thickness, but I am measuring less than the spec in both cases.
No width is given.
I assume that these spokes start at 2.0 mm and are extruded to the desired thickness which also would determine the width. In other words, thickness and width are related for a certain gauge.
The Parktool chart shows 2 or 3 numbers
Steel blade 1.0x3.2 or other bladed spoke 1.0x2.5-2.7
Is my understanding correct or am I missing something?
#2
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,924
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From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: Too many bikes, too little time to ride
For bladed spokes, I interpret the middle value to represent the width of the blade region (width being defined as the length of the flat profile, not the thickness or height). In the examples where you list 2/1.8/2, the 1.8 refers to the diameter of the butted section of butted round spokes. For bladed spokes the middle number should be larger than the two end values.
FR 2.0-1.5-2.0 measured 2.0-1.1-2.0 (2.1 width)
REAR 2.0-1.8-2.0 measured 2.0-1.4-2.0 (2.3 width)
I think those are the round equivalents and then they bladed the middle section.
FR 2.0-1.5-2.0 measured 2.0-1.1-2.0 (2.1 width)
REAR 2.0-1.8-2.0 measured 2.0-1.4-2.0 (2.3 width)
I think those are the round equivalents and then they bladed the middle section.
Last edited by tFUnK; 07-23-24 at 02:29 PM.
#3
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Joined: Jul 2015
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From: NW Oregon
Bikes: 1982 Trek 930R Custom, '91 Diamondback Ascent w/ XT, XTR updates, Fuji Team Pro CF road flyer, Specialized Sirrus Gravel Convert, '09 Comencal Meta 5.5 XC, '02 Marin MBX500, '84 Gitane Criterium bike
the "bladed" section would be pinch rolled, not extruded.
#4
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From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Normally, simply rolling the shape from flat to round wouldn't change the cross section.
So, it would be easy to use that to calculate* either thickness or width from the other.
EXAMPLE, if starting with a 2mm spoke, you'd have a cross section of 3.14mm (1x1xpi), or 3.14x1 or 2.5x1.25 when flattened. (or something comparable if more oval than flat)
I prefaced this by saying "normally" because it's possible to combine swaging and flattening to produce blades or ovals with smaller x-sections. (though offhand, I don't know of any that do)
*of course, if you have the spoke measuring is preferable.
So, it would be easy to use that to calculate* either thickness or width from the other.
EXAMPLE, if starting with a 2mm spoke, you'd have a cross section of 3.14mm (1x1xpi), or 3.14x1 or 2.5x1.25 when flattened. (or something comparable if more oval than flat)
I prefaced this by saying "normally" because it's possible to combine swaging and flattening to produce blades or ovals with smaller x-sections. (though offhand, I don't know of any that do)
*of course, if you have the spoke measuring is preferable.
Last edited by FBinNY; 07-23-24 at 05:11 PM.
#5
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Joined: May 2014
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From: USA
Bikes: 1996 Trek 970 ZX Single Track 2x11
For reference, here are a couple of illustrations for DT Swiss spoke products, showing the measurements and profile along the length of the spokes:
DT Aero Comp -- straight pull, 2.0 / 1.25 / 2.3 x ___ mm, #SACS20___N01000253
https://www.dtswiss.com/en/component...s/dt-aero-comp
DT AeroLite -- straight pull, 2.0 / 1.5 / 2.0 0.9 / 2.4, #SATS20___N01000164
https://www.dtswiss.com/en/component...es/dt-aerolite
DT Competition -- straight pull, 2.0 / 1.8 / 2.0 - / -, #SCOS20___N0100
https://www.dtswiss.com/en/component...dt-competition
DT Aero Comp -- straight pull, 2.0 / 1.25 / 2.3 x ___ mm, #SACS20___N01000253
https://www.dtswiss.com/en/component...s/dt-aero-comp
DT AeroLite -- straight pull, 2.0 / 1.5 / 2.0 0.9 / 2.4, #SATS20___N01000164
https://www.dtswiss.com/en/component...es/dt-aerolite
DT Competition -- straight pull, 2.0 / 1.8 / 2.0 - / -, #SCOS20___N0100
https://www.dtswiss.com/en/component...dt-competition
#6
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 614
Likes: 37
From: NW Peloponnese, Greece
For reference, here are a couple of illustrations for DT Swiss spoke products, showing the measurements and profile along the length of the spokes:
DT Aero Comp -- straight pull, 2.0 / 1.25 / 2.3 x ___ mm, #SACS20___N01000253
https://www.dtswiss.com/en/component...s/dt-aero-comp
DT AeroLite -- straight pull, 2.0 / 1.5 / 2.0 0.9 / 2.4, #SATS20___N01000164
https://www.dtswiss.com/en/component...es/dt-aerolite
DT Competition -- straight pull, 2.0 / 1.8 / 2.0 - / -, #SCOS20___N0100
https://www.dtswiss.com/en/component...dt-competition
DT Aero Comp -- straight pull, 2.0 / 1.25 / 2.3 x ___ mm, #SACS20___N01000253
https://www.dtswiss.com/en/component...s/dt-aero-comp
DT AeroLite -- straight pull, 2.0 / 1.5 / 2.0 0.9 / 2.4, #SATS20___N01000164
https://www.dtswiss.com/en/component...es/dt-aerolite
DT Competition -- straight pull, 2.0 / 1.8 / 2.0 - / -, #SCOS20___N0100
https://www.dtswiss.com/en/component...dt-competition
#7
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 614
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From: NW Peloponnese, Greece
For bladed spokes, I interpret the middle value to represent the width of the blade region (width being defined as the length of the flat profile, not the thickness or height). In the examples where you list 2/1.8/2, the 1.8 refers to the diameter of the butted section of butted round spokes. For bladed spokes the middle number should be larger than the two end values.
FR 2.0-1.5-2.0 measured 2.0-1.1-2.0 (2.1 width)
REAR 2.0-1.8-2.0 measured 2.0-1.4-2.0 (2.3 width)
I think those are the round equivalents and then they bladed the middle section.
FR 2.0-1.5-2.0 measured 2.0-1.1-2.0 (2.1 width)
REAR 2.0-1.8-2.0 measured 2.0-1.4-2.0 (2.3 width)
I think those are the round equivalents and then they bladed the middle section.
2.0/1.25/ 2.3 mm wide
In this case the middle value is the thickness of the blade and not the width.
In all spokes that I've measured the middle value seems to match the thickness of the bladed section. The width is not given.
In the Parktool chart that I mentioned above the 1st number seems to be the thickness and the 2nd the width which sometimes is given as a range.
Thanks for reponding
#8
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 614
Likes: 37
From: NW Peloponnese, Greece
Normally, simply rolling the shape from flat to round wouldn't change the cross section.
So, it would be easy to use that to calculate* either thickness or width from the other.
EXAMPLE, if starting with a 2mm spoke, you'd have a cross section of 3.14mm (1x1xpi), or 3.14x1 or 2.5x1.25 when flattened. (or something comparable if more oval than flat)
I prefaced this by saying "normally" because it's possible to combine swaging and flattening to produce blades or ovals with smaller x-sections. (though offhand, I don't know of any that do)
*of course, if you have the spoke measuring is preferable.
So, it would be easy to use that to calculate* either thickness or width from the other.
EXAMPLE, if starting with a 2mm spoke, you'd have a cross section of 3.14mm (1x1xpi), or 3.14x1 or 2.5x1.25 when flattened. (or something comparable if more oval than flat)
I prefaced this by saying "normally" because it's possible to combine swaging and flattening to produce blades or ovals with smaller x-sections. (though offhand, I don't know of any that do)
*of course, if you have the spoke measuring is preferable.
Thanks for responding




