Got some new rims on order and will be attempting my first build but confused by the vast array of spokes.

I’m a fairly light rider and will be running 32H and would like some light but strong spokes for general trail riding with hopefully a trip to the Alps in the coming year.

I hear sapim CX rays are race light but suitable for downhill?

Any others I should be thinking about. Will be running AC hubs with Spank Oozy 295s in 27.5.

Oh, and brass or alloy nipples?

Cheers

Sapim race or DT comps.

Brass nips.

Comps and brass nips will be a solid choice. Revolutions and alu nips if you want light and will sacrifice durability and stiffness. Don’t bother with CX-Rays, speaking as someone who’s used them several times.

Personaly I use alloy nips on my own wheels but they are a pain as the wheels age
For customer wheels I always recomend brass

Cx rays are a lot of money with little benefit IMO
Dt comp or aci double butted as a good but cheap option

Stevelol gave the correct answer in the first reply. Apart from the other reasons given, anything thinner – which includes CX-Rays – will make building harder when you’re a first time builder, and so make it less likely you’ll do a good job. Like Nick I’ve built with CX-Rays (and revs and alu nips), but I’d also strongly recommend against them unless you have a really good reason (in my case on road wheels where I was after the tiny aero benefit).

Sapim Race (or D-Light).
Dt Comps
Brass nips.

DT Comp Races are nice.

Do you mean Super Comps Ben? No such thing as a Comp Race…?

Do you want a wheel that just works and lasts a long time? DT Comp and brass nipples. Do you want lightweight bling? Revolutions and alloy nipples.

Another vote for Sapim race from me 🙂

Do you want lightweight bling?

Bling implies form over function, but as alu nips and Revs look identical there’s no ‘bling’ factor! Agree that Revs and alu nips are good for lightweight builds (to the detriment of longevity), but no reason to sound so scathing, there’s a significant weight saving.

I’ve had wheels so built last years too, it’s not like they’ll fall apart in 6 months!

I’m quite happy to admit my wheels with Revs and alu nips (pleased to see I’m not the only one using the correct term) are lightweight bling. I do after all have gold alu nips 😉 I’m reclaiming the term from those who might use it in a scathing way. The thing is, for most folk (which to be honest includes me nowadays) the weight saving is insignificant.

Bling implies form over function, but as alu nips and Revs look identical there’s no ‘bling’ factor! Agree that Revs and alu nips are good for lightweight builds (to the detriment of longevity), but no reason to sound so scathing, there’s a significant weight saving.

Was I being scathing? I’ve built lots of wheels with Revs, they’re great spokes.

There was a scathing tone, my apologies if my assessment was wrong!

For a first build (and for the riding you mention) sick with standard db spokes eg comps or equivalent.

I’d recommend ACI ssdb spokes from sdeals.com. I’ve built loads of wheels with them, they’re as good as DT comps and cost a load less.

Some good deals on Sapim spokes at On-One at the moment….. Sapim spokes
Standard – 20p each
Race – 30p each
CX Ray – £1.49 each

It doesn’t mention nipples, but the ones I bought came with them.

Problem with PX prices is either they have very limited availability as in the Standard spokes, or just a few at the price you first see, as in the Race, most as 59p each (only 265mm & 269mm in silver @ 30p), which is more than Spa do them for.

True, but if you they do have the length you need at the lowest price it’s a Brucie Bonus 😀

Rose and Bike-discount
De often have good deals on DT spokes