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Since we're on the topic of dropping weight...

vibiker

Monkey
May 3, 2004
732
0
Santa Clara / Vashon
I'm looking to lose some weight with a new front wheel. Going from a 26" Trailpimp on a Onyx hub, straight gauge spokes, DH tube, and a heavy Mobster.....

Looking at a 729 on a Hope Pro II with some lighter spokes. And tubeless.

Anyone using the DT Swiss Revolution spokes? Or Ti?
Just curious how they are to build and how well they hold up.

Thanks
 

vitox

Turbo Monkey
Sep 23, 2001
2,936
1
Santiago du Chili
you could probably use revos, but alpine3`s arent that much heavier.
ti ive never used but if its about saving weight i think you could buy some ti bolts and save money dropping the same weight.

revos make for "springier" wheels.
 

jvnixon

Turbo Monkey
May 14, 2006
2,325
0
SickLines.com
as far as i know, revos aren't made for DH, let alone discs.

The spokes to get are sapim if you demand lightweight and strength.
 

coma13

Turbo Monkey
Feb 14, 2006
1,082
0
Can anybody recommend a wheelbuilder who has experience working with those Sapim CX-RAY spokes in DH applications???
 

vitox

Turbo Monkey
Sep 23, 2001
2,936
1
Santiago du Chili
jvnixon said:
as far as i know, revos aren't made for DH, let alone discs.

The spokes to get are sapim if you demand lightweight and strength.

ive been using revos on disc wheels for 4 years i think, no big worries, but for dh im not so sure if id pick them.
 

coma13

Turbo Monkey
Feb 14, 2006
1,082
0
vibiker said:
So why not just go with Marwi Ti spokes? They look to be cheaper (and lighter).:help:
strength...

Edit: Also I'm pretty sure you have to use brass nipples with Ti spokes which would pretty much cancel out any weight savings you'd get over light steel spokes w/ aluminum nipples.
 

noskcaj

Monkey
Oct 24, 2005
106
0
Northford, CT
The differences in weight between using different spokes in a DH application is not worth the increased cost. I have built many wheels and i say the best bet is to use regular straight gauge spokes (like 1.8's) and use a lighter rim than normal. Then when you build the wheel, be really careful, take your time and pre-stress/tension it. The lighter rim at the outer-most part of the wheel will feel much much lighter than spokes and will build a sturdier wheel.

Thats just my .02,
 

joelsman

Turbo Monkey
Feb 1, 2002
1,369
0
B'ham
use the 823 rim instead and ust tyres, then you won't need a rim strip. the new maxxis lust ust are the same weight as the regular version.
 

maxyedor

<b>TOOL PRO</b>
Oct 20, 2005
5,496
3,140
In the bathroom, fighting a battle
coma13 said:
Can anybody recommend a wheelbuilder who has experience working with those Sapim CX-RAY spokes in DH applications???
Gabriel over at Adrenaline Bikes has built several sets, they do take a little while because they don't stock any ti spokes due to ultra low demand, and they need to be retentioned a few times after the initial build, as they stretch a little bit, so instead of an hour or two they take a few days to build.

That said he built the wheels on my Foes using Revos, hadley hubs and Bombshell rims, they haven't needed to be trued in the last 6 months and I tend to beat up on wheels
 

coma13

Turbo Monkey
Feb 14, 2006
1,082
0
maxyedor said:
Gabriel over at Adrenaline Bikes has built several sets, they do take a little while because they don't stock any ti spokes due to ultra low demand, and they need to be retentioned a few times after the initial build, as they stretch a little bit, so instead of an hour or two they take a few days to build.

That said he built the wheels on my Foes using Revos, hadley hubs and Bombshell rims, they haven't needed to be trued in the last 6 months and I tend to beat up on wheels
The spokes I mentioned are actually made of steel, not ti...
 

Bicyclist

Turbo Monkey
Apr 4, 2004
10,152
2
SB
I'm running DT Comps right now. They're 15/16g. They're flexy and not too strong, w/ alloy nips.

My next wheels will be Sapim CX-Rays because they're bladed so they're aerodynamic and stiffer. Ti spokes are IMO pointless because they're flexy.
 

xy9ine

Turbo Monkey
Mar 22, 2004
2,940
353
vancouver eastside
i've been using marwi ti spokes (w/. alu nipples) on dh / fr bikes for years, and have yet to have a problem. makes for a surprisingly durable & stable wheel. plus they look cool.
 

Zutroy

Turbo Monkey
Dec 9, 2004
2,443
0
Ventura,CA
Bicyclist said:
I'm running DT Comps right now. They're 15/16g. They're flexy and not too strong, w/ alloy nips.

My next wheels will be Sapim CX-Rays because they're bladed so they're aerodynamic and stiffer. Ti spokes are IMO pointless because they're flexy.
Flex in a wheel is mainly related to rim stiffness, or an improperly tensioned wheel not the spokes.
 

no skid marks

Monkey
Jan 15, 2006
2,511
29
ACT Australia
I've been running the DT ti spokes on my Brooklyn racelink and my opinions always changing. For the back I'd say no,but for the front Id say go fro it. I'm using Aluminum nipples also. They do take a while to streatch in. Two days ago I went over the bars twice due to a large bit of wood and a stump going in my front. On both occasions I couldn't find any bent spokes. I did go with the crash as soon as I new what had happened and possibly saved them but I don't think so. I'm wondering if you could get away with mixing steel and Ti or if the different elastisity would make it weird.
I wouldn't recomend a 521 for a 2.5 or over,maybee on the front but not on the back. I'm just running a Sun singletrack on the front as it's light as and good width for a 2.5. The back I'm running 823 with Michelin but it's heavy,I've smashed it alot though,hear the rim touch down at least once evry run and havn't had a problem yet,havn't lost any air in over two months ridding every second day. Did I say it's heavy but.
 

dw

Wiffle Ball ninja
Sep 10, 2001
2,943
0
MV
Bicyclist said:
I'm running DT Comps right now. They're 15/16g. They're flexy and not too strong, w/ alloy nips.

My next wheels will be Sapim CX-Rays because they're bladed so they're aerodynamic and stiffer. Ti spokes are IMO pointless because they're flexy.
Have you ever ridden a wheel with Ti spokes?
 

binary visions

The voice of reason
Jun 13, 2002
22,092
1,132
NC
bomberboy11 said:
True Precision Stealth front hubs are the lightest 20mm hubs on the market and completely user servicable.
...and the hubset has been vaporware for how many years now? :rolleyes:

I really loved the idea of the rear hub and have wanted one for a long time now, but every few months someone comes out of the woodwork and claims that they've talked to the company and the hubs will be ready in a few weeks or a month or two months and nothing ever shows up.

I realize it's not their primary business, but it's a little ridiculous when three or four years go by and nothing materializes.
 
I prefer butted spokes. Imho you get a much better wheel, it simply lasts longer. eg. 2.0-1.8-2.0mm

In Downhill everything is possible, &#180;97 I used Ritchey Logic Spokes (1.8-1.5-1.8) with alloy nipples an had no Problem. Well, if you get a stick between your spokes, a thinner spokes will break more easier. But my opionion: It&#180;s much cheaper to replace somes spokes than a rim or derailleur..

So, for most applications the 2.0-1.8-2.0 will do a perfect job.

If you&#180;re a weight weenie you can get DT revos or Sapim Laser .. , shave some grams and spend some $.

If you&#180;re a super weight weenie DT Aerolite or Sapim CX-Ray are an eyecatcher but cost $$$.
I use Sapim CX-Ray on some of my bikes, including the Freerider (rear wheel) and it works.

edit: I never used titanium spokes because of the extra $$$$$.
 

vibiker

Monkey
May 3, 2004
732
0
Santa Clara / Vashon
xy9ine said:
i've been using marwi ti spokes (w/. alu nipples) on dh / fr bikes for years, and have yet to have a problem. makes for a surprisingly durable & stable wheel. plus they look cool.
So, you would disagree with the statements that Ti is flexy?
 

big-ted

Danced with A, attacked by C, fired by D.
Sep 27, 2005
1,400
47
Vancouver, BC
I wouldn't touch ti spokes with a bargepole. They were all the rage in XC a few years ago, but they invariably (in my experience) snap at the elbow after a short while. My local (and very experienced) wheelbuilder mentioned something about Ti spokes being a larger diameter than steel, but having to be the same diameter at the elbow to allow the spoke to conform to the hub flange properly, hence they always snap at this point after a while.

Then again, if you guys are running alloy nipples, you're already sacrificing a whole lot of durabillity in my opinion. Brass nipples = tighter spokes = stiffer wheel. All good.