well I finally got my hubs the other day and have my rims.

I am using Phil Wood Hubs (Disc Mounts, 36h F/R) I am using a Mavic A719 rim. Now to the spokes. I have settled on DT Swiss but not sure if I should get the Comps or the Alpines. What gauge in front and rear? Double -Butted in Front and Rear? 4 cross? Any intelligent opinions welcomed!

Thanks!

I am approx 255-265lbs and getting lighter! Intend on using a BOB trailer but may look at Arkels as well.

Nice wheels. Personally I would go with the DT Swiss Alpine III and a 3 cross pattern. But it is all a matter of personal preference at this point, properly made those wheels will probably outlive you.

Thanks for the info! Just curious as to why 3 cross vs 4 cross? I know like you said, it's all personal preference. What are your thoughts on gauge and butting for front/rear?

From what I have heard. (and that is saying little) 4 Cross patterns have adjacent spokes overlapping at the head of the spoke, producing a weak point. And I hear they are a pain to repair as well. I mean the wheel should be bomb proof either way you want to go for the simpler option.

As far as I know the Alpines only come in a triple butted option 13/15/14 gauge.

Take that all with a grain of salt though, I am not familiar too much with wheel building. Only reason I know anything is I was looking at building a set of touring wheels and came up with exactly what youa re building with Alpine IIIs. Sadly my wallet will not support such an endevour right now. Which is why I am charging you a 1 grand consulting fee

Three cross for the reasons stated above. Four cross really doesn't buy you an appreciably stronger wheel. The important thing is that the pulling spokes move at a proper tangent to the rim. Three does it. The alpines are probably your best bet.

The limiting factor is whether you'll even be able to get Alpines in the length you need. I assumed 3 cross plugged into Spoke Calc and came up with 276, 285, and 287 being required, none of which are available from the AEbike catelog. Four cross would use longer and probably available spokes, but I think you wouldn't get a better wheel compared to using Competition double butted and 3 cross.

Personally, I use straight 14 ga Champion spokes because for me, spoke failure comes not from fatigue but from objects getting tangled in the spokes.

Couldn't the Alpines be cut to length? I know this can be done with I know this can be done with straight gauge spokes. Can it be done with butted spokes?

Universal Cycles sells the by the each and seem to have most sizes in stock.

Up to a point. It would depend on how far up the lower section you would want to roll them. I've rerolled Alpines when I ended up with an excess that were too long. I used one of these which worked very well but, as they say, it's not for mass production.