BS or Fact???
- Thread starter stevetait
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I've also heard this from a few wheel-builders and shop mechanics. Whether they are all indoctrinated by a shared myth is a moot point.
Personally, although I prefer silver spokes, I've never had any trouble with black ones. I build my own wheels though so I make sure the tension is good. Come to mention it I've never had any trouble with the often maligned snow-flaked wheels either...
Anyway, on a two week tour a few years ago one of my mates broke three black spokes in total.
I reckon it was down to his poorly built wheels though, more than the colour of his spokes.
Personally, although I prefer silver spokes, I've never had any trouble with black ones. I build my own wheels though so I make sure the tension is good. Come to mention it I've never had any trouble with the often maligned snow-flaked wheels either...
Anyway, on a two week tour a few years ago one of my mates broke three black spokes in total.
I reckon it was down to his poorly built wheels though, more than the colour of his spokes.
mikeekim89
Old School Grand Master
my brother took out a wheels worth of black spokes riding his cheapo MTB on the road kerbing it and the like. i got the rims now and i'm lacing them silver when i can be bothered, they'll look good on a SS. Tioga rims and DT spokes (apparently) i've only ever ran silver, and none have died on me yet, sounds like BS though.. pics when i can find the rim online.
Steve Kish
Senior Retro Guru
Two of the strongest pairs of wheels I've ever used, on both road (Fulcrom Racing 7, 20/24 spoke) and MTB (Mavic Crossride 24/24) have black spokes. :?
I have a pair of wheels I bought from LGF that would survive nuclear winter. They have black spokes. But then, I can think of a few very, very good wheelbuilders who won't build wheels with them.
Personally, I wouldn't think paint would make a difference. But I would be put off by the fact that black rims and spokes are boring. The only reason black parts came into fashion is because it's cheaper to paint than to polish.
Personally, I wouldn't think paint would make a difference. But I would be put off by the fact that black rims and spokes are boring. The only reason black parts came into fashion is because it's cheaper to paint than to polish.
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personally i think it is a load of crap about them breaking because they are black, but i have to be honest though i just don't get why people like black spokes, silver look so much nicer, especially in the sun! 
but they are more expensive for shops to buy (trade price is going on for double on a box of black compared to silver iirc from when i was in the trade) i think the process of making them black is quite expensive, i think the good ones are case hardened? (happy to be corrected and/or educated)
i think though that this rumour did start for a reason though, and that reason is a combination of the big bike companies speccing them and then driving the costs down and buying cheap spokes, once the wheels are rebuilt with good quality spokes (regardless of colour) they should last pretty well.
also regarding the phone call you had, maybe the guy only had silver spokes in stock and was assumming (wrongly) that you didn't know anything and was trying to get you to buy what he had so he didn't have to order anything. either way he sounds like a bit of a knob as a result.
but they are more expensive for shops to buy (trade price is going on for double on a box of black compared to silver iirc from when i was in the trade) i think the process of making them black is quite expensive, i think the good ones are case hardened? (happy to be corrected and/or educated)
i think though that this rumour did start for a reason though, and that reason is a combination of the big bike companies speccing them and then driving the costs down and buying cheap spokes, once the wheels are rebuilt with good quality spokes (regardless of colour) they should last pretty well.
also regarding the phone call you had, maybe the guy only had silver spokes in stock and was assumming (wrongly) that you didn't know anything and was trying to get you to buy what he had so he didn't have to order anything. either way he sounds like a bit of a knob as a result.
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