Sources for straight pull spokes

skyblue337

I have a set of Easton EA90SL wheels that have had issues with breaking spokes (front and rear, both drive and non drive-side). I've been advised by the distributor that they might need rebuilding with new spokes. To complicate my thought process, I was advised by my LBS during one of the spoke repairs that there was a small flat spot in the rear rim that could not be completely trued-out. I'm interested in the new wider rims like the H+Son Archetypes so I'm wondering whether this is an opportunity to get the hubs built onto some Archetype rims rather than just paying for a rebuild onto the existing rims (or paying an additional £65 for a new Easton rear rim as well).

The problem is, it seems pretty difficult to source straight pull spokes. I've found a source for straight pull Sapim CX-Rays but the cost is very high (approx £3 per spoke so £80 for the rear wheel alone). You can also get DT Competition straight pulls but only in boxes of 72 it seems. Does anyone have any other ideas?

Thanks

smidsy

Yes chuck them and get some proper hand built wheels with proper spokes.

ugo.santalucia

The difference in price would probably buy you new hubs... Easton hubs are nothing special anyway... kind of Novatec quality.
I have some Easton EA 90SL spokes if you want... not enough for a rebuild but a few...

EDIT: for straight pull spokes in general, try Starbike in Germany, I seem to recall they have a wide stock of those

skyblue337

Thanks for the heads up about Starbike and for the spoke offer. I'll let you know if I can use them. Not much in stock at the moment but they do sell DT Comp straight pulls.

Seems that building the Easton hubs onto new rims might not be worth it then. I hate the idea of junking them so I think I'll price up a rebuild on the existing rims and compare to the cost of an Archetype build on some cheaper hubs.

ride_whenever

As above, buy nice handbuilts.

ugo.santalucia

skyblue337 wrote:

Thanks for the heads up about Starbike and for the spoke offer. I'll let you know if I can use them. Not much in stock at the moment but they do sell DT Comp straight pulls.

Seems that building the Easton hubs onto new rims might not be worth it then. I hate the idea of junking them so I think I'll price up a rebuild on the existing rims and compare to the cost of an Archetype build on some cheaper hubs.

The problem is those use a flange design whereby if the spoke is seized in the nipple (which it is because the nipple is alloy) there is no practical way to true the wheel or undo the spokes without cutting them, because the spokes are round and you can't hold them, not even with pliers. They just keep spinning in the flange.
I once offered to rebuild one of those and regretted it really badly. The flange itself has holes so tiny that routing a spoke is extremely difficult without bending it and damaging it in the long run. Maybe when they are new they are better, smoother, less oxide on the holes etc...
Anyway, you won't find many builders who want to use those, I for one will never do it again.