I understand that in theory straight pulls are slightly stronger but my understanding is that it's negligible because most spokes don't break at the j hooks anyway.

Here, I fixed it for you - "most spoke breaks DO occur at the j-bends".

Almost always, j-bend spokes break at the elbow. That being said; it's not an issue unless you have really badly built wheels - with tensions too low and/or too unequal. Most of us, using only j-bend spokes, can't remember the last spoke that broke on us. For me it's probably more than 2 decades ago. IMO, straight pull spokes are a solution looking for a problem.

So for home builders is there any reason to prefer one over the other?

For sure. J-bend - MUCH more widely available. Same with hubs.

Are the most popular spokes equally available in either format?

I doubt it. But if you find a source (and there are some) then your answer will have to be yes.

 

The "theory" on this that gets offered up on mtbr is weak at best.

Go with normal j-bend spokes, which will increase your hub selection and chances of finding replacements in a pinch if you ever need to.

 

Equally available from distributors, yes. Almost every LBS is much more likely to have a given size in J-bend spokes (which is handy in case you blow a spoke when you're not near home). Also, you need to prevent straight-pull spokes from spinning during building or truing, which J-bend spokes can't do (although they can "wind up"). This is the proper tool, although you can rig a fourth hand tool with zip ties: Amazon.com : Competition Cycles Services Twist-Resist Spoke Clamp, Right Hand Builder : Bike Spokes And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors.

Jobst Brandt (aka Wheel Jesus) on straight pull spokes (post at 27 Mar 2000 19:17:45 GMT):
Spokes (Jobst Brandt)

 

I've (re) built a few strait pull wheels, it wasn't really any harder or easier than J-bend spokes.

I agree that most J-bend spokes break at the bends, mostly because of incorrect tension (both high and low IME) and cheap spokes.

I personally have never broken a spoke or know of anyone breaking a spoke at the elbow on a properly hand built and tensioned wheel with top quality (DT, WS, Sapim) spokes. So I think the "advantage" of strait pull spokes is true in theory but rare in actual use.

 

So I think the "advantage" of strait pull spokes is true in theory but rare in actual use.

If you read the teachings of Jobst Brandt, he says the head of a straight-pull spoke is always in tension - and it takes the whole tension. At least with a j-bend, its interference with the hub flange dissipates some of this energy.

 

I can't argue with anything that's already been posted. I would only add that, in most cases, you can replace a straight pull spoke without removing a cassette or disc. If you have a few extra on hand, there's no worry about finding one at the shop. Plus, they look so good...

 

Plus, they look so good...

When I see them I see narrow effective flange spacing.
Plays, unless you're on top of the bike you can't really see whether they're straight pull or not.

 

More straight pull hubs are available and the spokes themselves are easy to get. Anyone gone over to SP and preferred it?
Since 3 cross and 28H is what's really needed for my application, SP just seems easier to build up.
This topic is over a year old, was wondering if the sentiment has changed since.

 

Since 3 cross and 28H is what's really needed for my application, SP just seems easier to build up.
This topic is over a year old, was wondering if the sentiment has changed since.

I'm not following your logic here, either in what you've determined is really needed or in why 3x 28h would be easier to build.
Sentiments haven't changed.
Either will work, but if I was building a wheel for myself or recommending a build to any customer, I'd use j-bend.

 

I meant that I only need 2iH for my weight on a carbon rim. That's what I'm using now with j bend spokes. I was thinking of building a new wheel but with SP. I've never done it before but it looks like from the pic that it's easier because you just thread the spokes and the angles are all preset. I don't have to worry about movement in presetting of the J-Bend in the spoke hole nor do I have to worry about it making the spoke hole a little bigger over time. I mean J-Bend works and is easy enough but was wondering if anyone has changed their minds that sp is the way to go. Usually when new tech or new standards come out ppl shun it like boost, 35mm bars, wide bars, long and slack, 29er, fat bikes, etc... over time ppl ease into it, maybe sp was one of those. Thx

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Gotcha.
The issues have not changed for me.
Preset angles are no advantage IMO, and you still have to pay attention.
You've also got to remember that J-bend spokes and hubs are improving as well, primarily in manufacturing methods and quality assurance, so it's not like SP is improving and conventional is static.

 

Straight pull looks a lot cooler. If they were the same price, I think I'd build a lot more straight pull wheels.

Your wheels wont break if you do a good job, so I think thats a bit of a wash. Straight pull doesnt cost the same though, its kind of a huge price gap for no benefit, so cooler looking or not, its hard to justify.

 

Was looking at DT Swiss offerings and the sp are about the same price. The straight pull spokes are also the same price. However the SP hubs are 28H it seems which is good enough for my weight.

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