|   Ti spokes? | alb
Jun 16, 2002 3:16 PM | | What is the deal with Ti spokes? What advantages will they give me? What (beside cost) disadvantages will they give me? Are they worth it? Thanks for your help. |
| re: Ti spokes? | JmZ
Jun 16, 2002 6:42 PM | | Got a wheelset with Ti's on it. Background of riding done... 200 lbs on a dually riding XC trails in the midwest. No hucking, no jumps, and no real downhills (I wish, I'm in Indiana... can we say flat?)
Advantages - LIGHT! My setup came in at just over 1500g with 3X and brass nips. Seem to be holding up pretty well. (knock on wood.)
Disadvantages - Cost, availability, tension, knowledge.
If the worst happens and you break a spoke (or three) they'll need to be ordered, and HOPEFULLY the shop won't complain of trying to order just 3 or 4 spokes. The last two tie together. Ti spokes are a bit different so even an experienced builder may not have much experience with 'em.
I'm about 200 lbs and the ti spokes have given me no special headaches. (Knock on wood!) They have required a bit more maint than regular 14-15's, but once a season vs once every two... I think I can live with that.
My recommendation is if you are light on wheels (the sidewalls are more likely to wear through than taco) and you are likely to keep parts around instead of replacing them yearly for looks or newest and greatest, go for it.
Make sure you get 'em built by an experienced builder. Ruining a set of expensive wheels hurts. I had mine built by the local shop and even with the build, and some pretty nice parts (Nukeproof carbon hubs, Ti spokes [ordered a few spare spokes too], and bontrager Valiant and Mustang rims) they came in at under $500. When I bought it was still over $200 LESS than the Mavic X-Maxes.
JmZ |
| |
