Spoke choice

[Vinbad]

I have a set of m900 hubs and corresponding M231 rims (thanks to @ceo on here).

What spokes should I be looking to source? What did we use back in the day? Does it matter? Should I just go with modern spokes?

Also - anyone know the length of the top of their head? Can measure the erd and flanges but retro experience would be much easier.

Cheers in advance

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

Wheelsmith or DT double butted spokes. Silver.
Some tarty Alu nipples or stay with classic brass (but Alu was the thing).

Need to know holes and 3x or radial or perhaps at the time a 3x/2x rear and radial front was cool!

 

[Vinbad]

Re:

Thanks for your help. Yeah, will go with brass as weight a bit more now

Actually have a 36 set and a 32 set to build. Probably classic 3 cross for strength.

 

[drystonepaul]

Re:

I seem to recall the 266mm spokes work on those rims with a 3 cross lacing. It's usually 264mm for most of the non disc Shimano hubs combined with the later Mavic 217/517/717 rims.
The ERD on M231s is larger hence slightly longer spokes.
It might be closer to 267 or 268mm so by all means check before buying.

I normally build using Sapim Race or ACI Alpina DB spokes. DT Swiss and Wheelsmith are more expensive but no better.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Nice to hear from you dsp
For a new build, not a Back in the Day build, I have SAPIM (I like the butts, they're like Wheelsmith butts iirc), not sure I've used ACI yet.
I don't build many wheels now.

I believe it'll be 266/267 for the rear (32hole 3x)

I still use https://www.wheelpro.co.uk/spokecalc/ updated version and https://leonard.io/edd/ (but now more as a quick check and data refrence)
On wheelpro, click on the names for help info (like, left, spoke length etc)

Rear
	Left	Right
Spoke lengths	266.8	265.2
Spoke head clearance	1.3	1.3
Spoke entry angle	4.5	4.5
Spoke tension ratio	62%	100%
Wheel data
Rear wheel

Hub diameter	45	45
Flange offset	34	21
Spoke hole diameter	2.6
Rim erd	548
Spokes	32
Cross	3
Spoke diameter	1.8

So 266 & 267
(or 266 & 268 OR both 267mm would work)

Front...
268 (or 269)

Front
	Left	Right
Spoke lengths	267.9	267.9
Spoke head clearance	0.7	0.7
Spoke entry angle	3.8	3.8
Spoke tension ratio	100%	100%
Wheel data
Front wheel

Hub diameter	38	38
Flange offset	36	36
Spoke hole diameter	2.6
Rim erd	548
Spokes	32
Cross	3
Spoke diameter	1.8

There are also some scans of someone 'note book' from BiTD building these.

 

[drystonepaul]

Nice to hear from you dsp

Thanks and likewise Ben,

Looks like I was pretty close on those spoke lengths which is reassuring.