DT vs Wheelsmith
- Thread starter MikeD
- Start date
I've had no troubles with either, though DT are pretty much the shop standard.
We also have Ritchey spokes (DT), for nostalgia sakes.
You can't beat stainless...
We also have Ritchey spokes (DT), for nostalgia sakes.
You can't beat stainless...
I don't really know about ultimate quality, BUT the DT spokes have a smooth, drawn transition at the buttings, and Wheelsmith spokes have a dramatic one. That's the easy way to determine whose product it is, just by sliding a fingernail down the spoke. Personally, I broke some Wheelsmith spokes, "switched" to DT and haven't broken a spoke for years, notwithstanding an increased mass... That proves nothing, but my favorite wheelbuilder is adamant that DT are better.
Aren't DT's threads rolled and Wheelsmith's cut? Or are they both rolled now?
When I was building at the shop, we started out using Wheelsmith. We would get quite a few back with busted spokes. We switched to DT and the problem went away.
As mentioned earlier, the butting is smoother on DT spokes. Stress risers develop in sharp areas, which is why the smoother transitions really make the DT a better spoke.
Every wheel I have built since that shop switched has been built with DT spokes. Never had one break unless it was a foreign object that decided to play chicken with the spokes. I haven't built a wheel in 6 months. Maybe for my next upgrade........
As mentioned earlier, the butting is smoother on DT spokes. Stress risers develop in sharp areas, which is why the smoother transitions really make the DT a better spoke.
Every wheel I have built since that shop switched has been built with DT spokes. Never had one break unless it was a foreign object that decided to play chicken with the spokes. I haven't built a wheel in 6 months. Maybe for my next upgrade........
Yep, that used to be the case. I don't know for sure now, but do know the Wheelsmith spokes still have the "sharp" transititions.
I only use wheelsmith with no problems. Nice wheels