Originally Posted by
terrymorse
But wheels built with DB spokes stay true better. DB spokes are less likely to go slack during use than straight gage spokes. When a spoke goes slack, it’s possible that the nipple will unwind, changing the spoke tension and sending the wheel out of true.
.
This was always my understanding as well but some very knowledgeable builders over on roadbikereview say no; the spoke tension would have to be drastically low for all the tension to be removed in use, thus allowing the nipple to loosen.
For many years my go-to configuration was 14/15 drive side rear, 15/16 non drive side rear, and straight 15 front. Tons of miles this way and never a broken spoke (road riding only). Anyway, a well built wheel should last a long time regardless of these nit pick arguments over theoretical benefits one way or another.