Originally Posted by
oldbobcat
Every spoke I've broken was at the head or the nipple.That would be the butted section.
Look at DT Swiss. The Champion is 14 and the Competition is 14/15/14. They're the same diameter at the head and nipple and the Comp is butted down in the center. Because the center is thinner on the Comp it bends easier and takes stress off the larger ends.
I personally like only butted because they're lighter and they don't ride as stiff. And I prefer higher 28 or 32 spoke counts so it's even more pronounced. For the minimal price increase it's worth it to me. The only spoke I ever recall snapping happened in the 90's.