Best Spoke Source
Where can one buy spokes at good prices (I asked this in a question buried in another thread, re-asking here)?
With all the talk of hyper-optimized uber-spokes made from the most expensive form of unobtainium alloy, you'd think that there'd be a favorite source or sources for these things. Instead, each website I visit has a limited number of models from a limited number of brands in a limited number of sizes. I think that Sapim and DT Swiss are very poorly served by the folks selling their products on-line.
The super-spoke I'm looking at is a Sapim D-Light in 308mm length (I think, I have to triple check that length and will probably need different spokes for the rear, but this gives you an approximate size). These match the dimensions (2mm/1.65mm) of a 27 inch wheel on my Schwinn Superior. But I also have my eye on a couple of DT Swiss spokes, but these are either thicker (2/1.8mm) or thinner (2/1.5mm). I can find them up to 300mm, but no larger. And the mfrs sites both say that they are made up to 310mm.
Each of these costs a bit more than a buck a spoke, with a nipple. I'm included to go for one of these as this is my first wheel-building project and I don't want to have to worry about spoke quality. I also note that the original spokes are corroding (which is why I'm doing this in the first place) and that modern chrome plating is likely not to the same quality level that Schwinn insisted upon.
That said, spending nearly a hundred bucks on spokes (36 hole hubs/rims) is a little ridiculous. So I went looking for 2/1.65mm butted steel chrome-plated spokes. I can't find them! Or anything like them!
So, is there a site that offers the full range of DT-Swiss and/or Sapim? And what about a site that sells chrome-plated steel butted spokes? Thanks.