Spokes

[Drunkskunk]

Those thin metal strands that keep us and the road apart. And so easy to ignorer when you don't have to touch them. But i'm about to relace my C-lyte from a 700c to a 26" to fit my new frame, and I need spokes. Sure, Justin/ebikes.ca sells 13 guage in silver, but (a) I want black, and (b) I'm pretty convinced the spokes C-lyte provides are not the top of the line. The one I broke is soft, it has zero springyness to it, and they sound dull when struck with metal on the rim. My front wheel rings like tapping a gutar string.


So, where can I get some better spokes? Is there a "best" in spokes?

Would there be any advantage in going to 12 guage? Any drawbacks?

 

[kyakdiver]

Skunk,

EV Tech should be able to hook ya up. I'm having my wheel built right now and he offered me silver or black. Give him a try. Suggest the phone since I had a heck of a time emailing them.

kyakdiver

 

[phenomatuan]

Here is a link to a widely known seller of bike equipment. I don't see anything in black.
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/sub_cat.cfm?subcategory_id=10043

 

[recumbent]

Had my hub motor laced (spoked) into a 26" wheel at my LBS for $20.00, 5 years ago, they did a perfect job and still holding strong.
Thicker is definately not necesarily better. You want that springyness to absorb the small bumps.
I read in many places that double butted are strong because they stretch where they should and thicker near the hub where they are prone to break most.
And You have to make sure you keep them tight, especially couple weeks riding after newly installed spokes.

 

[D-Man]

My stock clyte spokes are still good after 2 years. Although I don't run high power. I've always checked the tension. One thing I noticed is that they can get loose if you inflate to a higher pressure. So adjust at the pressure you want to run.