I’ve got wheels with black spokes, and wheels with silver spokes.

why do i only break black spokes?

(fwiw: i’m a skinny mincer, i shouldn’t be able to break anything)

aha. that’s what i’ve heard too from a reliable source

who told you that i’m a skinny mincer?

(it’s not exactly a secret mind you)

because the black ones cost more to replace?

Costs more money to make black spokes, some builders use chap ones to offset this which break.

Because you’re using good quality stainless spokes and cheep black ones ?
My wheels have DT Swiss DB Comp black spokes and never had any issues.

ride in the dark?

Paint them yourself?

that’s the thing, i don’t even want black spokes.

i’ve never asked for them – but here we are.

they’re there when i buy a new bikes, and then break. they turn up on new wheels, and then break.

Black spokes being weaker is an old wives tale.

What size, gauge and brand are each spoke? who build each of the wheels?

All are factors to consider, not just the colour.

i don’t even want black spokes

Easily remedied

Rob likes helping

I only ever break black spokes. So they must be weaker.

Where are the spokes breaking? e.g. Elbow, nipple, halfway along?

I only ever break black spokes. So they must be weaker.

Strengthen them up with some silver paint?

Easily remedied

Rob likes helping

Genuine LOL, well done!

Costs more money to make black spokes, some builders use chap ones to offset this which break.

This

ctznsmith – Member

Where are the spokes breaking? e.g. Elbow, nipple, halfway along?

it’s wheel-specific.

some wheels: at the first turn of thread.

some wheels: at the elbows.

ho hum, time to learn how to (re) build wheels then!

If you use purple nipples they won’t brake

If you rebuild them use a good spoke Dt Sapim aci
Cheap plain gauge spokes are rubbish
And unless your very light avoid 1.8 mm and stick with 2.00mm ends and nipples

Even spoke tension is te key IMO

If I remember correctly generally breakage at the nipple is usually too much tension.

At the elbow is fatigue stress, due to inconsistent tension across the wheel.

In the middle is something in the spokes or scratch your head and be baffled.

(Someone correct me if I’m wrong)

aye, ACTUAL LOL Rob Hilton, thanks : )

My bike genuinely is hand painted with that Hammerite stuff.

I had a car painted with blue Hammerite too – lovely!

Its a tad agricultural in appearance but scares the thieves.