[ZHendo]

So, I just picked up my EX721s at the shop today along with a set of Specialized Clutch and Chunder SX tires, I'm stoked! Mavic took awhile, but I'm pretty sure the wheels will be worth the wait. I just wanted to ask about spoke length. According to DT's calculator, I'm supposed to be using 257s on the rear wheel and 258/256 on the front wheel. I got a box of 258s, so do you think it is necessary to cut 16 of them to 256? Should I even worry about cutting them to 257 for the rear? Thanks.
-Zack

 

[clint1985]

lace em up, make sure they are dished correctly and you should be just fine.

 

[Dogboy]

The rear should be fine. On the front, I wouldn't worry so much about the extra length, but you may run short on threads.

 

[ZHendo]

The rear should be fine. On the front, I wouldn't worry so much about the extra length, but you may run short on threads.

Thanks, that's what I had been thinking, but I wanted to ask other opinions before I start lacing them up. Worst comes to worst, I can get the 16 spokes cut for the front and then just re-lace them, but if there was any certainty that they wouldn't work I would prefer to avoid that extra work.

 

[beaverbiker]

You can always have more threads rolled onto the 258's if they're too long and the nipples bottom out before you achieve proper tension. Trailhead Cyclery in San Jose has a spoke cutting and thread rolling machine that can do it easily.

 

[balfarider22]

i wouldnt worry about it at all. i have found when building wheels if the spokes are within 2mm of what the spoke calculator says than youre fine.

 

[jonKranked]

1 mm is nothing. 2mm you should be fine, that's my rule of thumb when it comes to wheel building.

Personally, I would have gone for 257's if I was in your shoes, but I understand that a box of spokes that length may not have been available.

 

[sanjuro]

Since I know the backstory behind this wheel, I am considering several factors, including spoke tension vs 2mm of length, would our boss' opinion be influenced by his experience or what's expedient for him, and how much he hates mountain biking, particularly gladiator-wear freeride.

Personally, I would pony up $20 and buy 16 256's. Call up H & F in Oakland, and if they have it, I'll call the manager so you can get a discount.

 

[ZHendo]

yeah, i wish i could have gotten 257s, but it wasn't an option. sanjuro, he said he'd cut spokes for me if i needed it, so considering that i have 72 258s, i'd just get 16 of them cut by him. i'll give it a try with the 258s, if they don't work i'll go from there.

 

[DirtyMike]

For as ANal as I am with wheels, I say, get them cut to the proper length before you build your wheel.

I'm supposed to be using 257s on the rear wheel and 258/256 on the front wheel

What hubs are these going on? This seems backwards unless your running a 150 rear.

Anyways, I always go with teh proper length spokes. Just makes for more of a professional build.

 

[ZHendo]

these are going on hope pro 2s, i checked the lengths on 2 different spoke calc sites and they came out to those lengths...

 

[DirtyMike]

150 rear hub though?

 

[ZHendo]

nope, 135 rear. also, i bought spokes using the fact that the ERD for the 721s is 532mm. i've seen different results all over the internet, is this is right length? DT's site says 537, sicklines supposedly measured the wheels and got 532...i'm a little lost.

 

[DirtyMike]

Well, not overly familiar with teh flanges on teh rear hub, which is what is most likely what is throwing me off a touch, but here is what I get from teh DT site

Front 258 left 260 right

Rear 259 both.

DT site shows the 721 as a 537 ERD

The thing I always do as a builder, is I always measure my ERD by hand, I never trust whats on the Interweb for ERD's.

Those are the average it gives

Actuals are

Front 258.50 left 260.30 right
rear 259.70 left 258.90 right.

If I were building off these specs I would be using 16 258's 32 256's and 16 259's. I always look at teh actual, the roundoff are not always the better number.

 

[ZHendo]

yeah, i saw those numbers, but i went with the sicklines measurements because they talked directly to mavic about it supposedly.

 

[DirtyMike]

Well, if they had there hands on them, go with it. Like I said, I always measure ERD by hand, I almost always measure the hubs myself too. Its very seldom that I end up with the wrong spoke length during a build.



Just to get totally wheel nerd, what brand/style of spokes and nipples are you using anyways?

 

[ZHendo]

i always use DT comps and DT brass nipples, they are affordable and build/hold up nicely in my experience.

 

[DirtyMike]

Not to mention there easy to get if you are out on a trip and pop a spoke or two.