Originally Posted by shelbyfv

Still chewing on this, eh? https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-m...ed-spokes.html

Originally Posted by FBinNY

One of the earliest makers and promoters of waged (double butted) spokes was the Torington Company of Connecticut.

Interestingly they promoted the concept, not as stronger or lighter, but less expensive.

Understand that the typical steels used for spokes have a shear strength of about 80% the tensile strength. Likewise the thread pf a 2mm spoke has a root diameter of about 1.8mm. So operating under the theory that a chain is no stronger than it's weakest link, any material in the middle of a spoke beyond 80% of the elbow diameter, or the root of the thread (whichever is lower) is wasted material, and a 2/1.6/2.0mm spoke will be as strong as a 2mm plain gauge spoke.

Torrington wasn't as concerned about weight per se, but better use of pricey high strength steels and was selling their butted spokes at the same or lower price than competitors plain spokes.

The info above applies only to strength. However rigidity is a function of the average cross section, so butted spokes build a wheel with flex properties comparable to plain spokes of the thin section.

Lastly is the issue of fatigue, where butted spokes shine. All things being equal, the thinner mid section of butted spokes take up more of the deflections, and so tend to prolong the fatigue life of the ends.

So, no matter how you slice it, the fact that butted spokes are superior when we consider strength, weight & fatigue life is no myth. But fortunately all types of spokes are still available, so you don't have to accept this and can still buy whatever spoke you want.