Sapim Spokes
 

We sell Sapim spokes. And we'll sell you as many Sapim spokes as you need. If you need just 20, fine and dandy. If you need 2,000, finer and dandier. We sell spokes to the home wheelbuilder, as well as to bicycle shops.

FYI: I do not stock straight pull spokes. I do not sell straight pull spokes. I do not build wheels with straight pull spokes. I will not special order straight pull spokes.

I've been building wheels since 1969, and with Wheelsmith spokes since 2000, when DT made a change to their spoke design which I didn't like. Wheelsmith's quality control was excellent. "Was", you say? Yes. Unfortunately, Wheelsmith spokes are no longer being made. But we have quite a few left and are still very happy to build wheels with them. I've recently begun using Sapim spokes, and I'm very pleased with the quality.

I give my lifetime warranty on wheels I build with Sapim spokes. All of the spokes I sell are made from stainless steel. Almost all of the Sapim spokes I stock are "butted" spokes. Some are single butted and some are double butted. Single butted means that the diameter of the spoke is greater at the hub end than in the middle and rim end. For instance, the Sapim Force measures 2.3mm at the hub end, 1.8mm in the middle and 2mm at the threaded end of the spoke. A Sapim "Sprint" spoke is 2mm diameter at both ends and 1.7mm diameter in the center. Since spokes generally only break at the ends, that puts extra strength where you need it most. The thinner section in the middle saves weight, and allows the spoke to stretch slightly as the wheel is subjected to stress while riding, resulting in fewer cracks around the spoke holes in the rim, and less stress at the elbow of the spoke.

Sapim Laser spokes are 1.5mm diameter in the center. They save quite a bit of weight with little or no loss in durability. Since the center cross section is so thin, these spokes cannot take as much tension as thicker spokes, and are not suitable for use on the right side of dished rear wheels, or with disc brakes. As you tighten them, they don't achieve high tension, they only stretch out longer and longer until they break. However, they are perfect for front wheels and for the left side of dished rear wheels, which don't need as much tension. I highly recommend them for front wheels and the left side of rears. But I do not recommend them for the right side of modern road rear wheels since the right side requires very high tension.

So, for the right side of modern road bike wheels, I recommend either Sapim Sprint (2.0mm-1.7mm-2.0mm) Sapim D-Light (2.0mm-1.65mm-2.0mm)or CX-Sprint bladed spokes. All of these spokes can get to high tension without damage.

Sapim also makes a 2.0mm-1.8mm-2.0mm spoke called "Race". I don't stock it, and here's why. If the Sapim Sprint with a 1.7mm center couldn't hold enough tension for the right side of a modern rear road wheel, I would stock the Race spokes. But since the Sprint can hold the tension, and since it's the same price as the "Race", I don't stock the "Race". Some builders will prefer building with the heavier "Race" spokes because they tend to wind up a bit less when tensioning the wheel, so the build takes less time since the builder doesn't have to "unwind" the spokes. But I've been building wheels since 1969, and I take out the windup without really thinking about it. Maybe it takes me an extra minute to build a wheel.

In order to use the Force spokes, the hole in the hub flange must be large enough for the thicker spoke end. Most Campagnolo and Dura Ace hubs have small spoke holes.

Aluminum nipples can save some weight at the perimeter of the wheel, which aids in acceleration. They cost a bit more and aren't quite as durable as brass nipples. But if you're trying to get to the top of the mountain as fast as possible, let us know and we'll use aluminum nipples for your wheels. Be aware that if an aluminum nipple should crack, it is not covered by my lifetime warranty!

When you order black spokes, we'll assume you want black brass nipples, unless you ask for nickel plated brass nipples. Some people want black nipples with their unplated stainless spokes. Spokes and nipples are priced separately.

Please don't ask me to rebuild wheels for bikes with rim brakes with your rims or spokes. I only build wheels with the rims I sell and the spokes I sell. I go to great lengths to be sure that the wheel components I use are good enough that I can give them my lifetime warranty. The exception is using rims for disc brake bikes. For disc brakes, the roundness of the rim is a bit less important than it is for rim brakes. So I don't need to be quite so fussy.

Sapim CX-RAY

Sapim CX-Sprint

Sapim Laser

Sapim D-Light

Sapim Sprint

Sapim Force

Sapim Leader

Brass Nipples

Aluminum Nipples

 

Sapim CX-RAY
     

CX-RAY spokes are bladed through the center for minimal aerodynamic drag. 2mm diameter at the ends, the wide cross section through the center is 2.2mm by .9mm, so there's no modification to standard hub spoke holes needed. I have every length you might possibly need.

Since wind resistance has the greatest effect on how fast you can ride, it makes sense to use bladed spokes. The downside is the added expense, as these are difficult and costly to produce.

CX-Ray spokes are perfect for rim brake front wheels and for the left side of rear road wheels. For the right rear side, and for front wheels with disc brakes, I recommend CX-Sprint, which are a bit heavier and can hold the extremely high tension required on modern road wheels and the high stresses from disc brakes.

     
SAP/GIC14/220.L CX-RAY, Silver, Cut & Rolled to size for our retail customers, w/o nipple $3.40
SAP/GIC14/220.LB.NT CX-RAY, Black, Cut & Rolled to size for our retail customers, w/o nipple $3.70
     
     

 

Sapim CX-Sprint
     

CX-Sprint spokes are bladed through the center for minimal aerodynamic drag. 2mm diameter at the ends, the wide cross section through the center is 2.25mm by 1.25mm, so there's no modification to standard hub spoke holes needed. I have every length you might possibly need.

Since wind resistance has the greatest effect on how fast you can ride, it makes sense to use bladed spokes. The downside is the added expense, as these are difficult and costly to produce.

CX-Sprint spokes weigh a bit more than CX-Ray spokes. They are an excellent choice for front wheels and rear wheels. They can take the extremely high tension required for the right side of most modern rear wheels. They are hard to distinguish visually from CX-Ray spokes.

     
SAPWS36310-57 CX-Sprint, Silver, Cut & Rolled to size for our retail customers, w/o nipple $2.60
SAPWS36310-58 CX-Sprint, Black, Cut & Rolled to size for our retail customers, w/o nipple $2.90
     
     
   
Sapim Laser
     

A very light spoke for racers, triathletes, or anyone wanting the lightest wheel. Recommended for front wheels with rim brakes, and for the left side of highly dished rear road bike wheels. Not suitable for disc brake wheels. With disc brakes I recommend a slightly heavier spoke such as the Sapim D-Light or Sapim Sprint. The Laser is not suitable for the right side of a highly dished rear wheel since it cannot hold sufficient tension.

The Laser is 2.0mm diameter at both ends and 1.5mm diameter in the center.

SAP/GIV14/310.L.NT Laser, Silver, Cut & Rolled to size for our retail customers, w/o nipple $0.96
SAP/GIV14/310.LB.NT Laser, Black, Cut & Rolled to size for our retail customers, w/o nipple $1.26
     
     
   
Sapim D-Light
     

The D-Light is the lightest spoke suitable for use on the right rear side of a modern highly dished road wheel. It can take the high tension, unlike the thinner Sapim Laser spokes. And it's also well suited for lightweight front wheels and the left side of rear road wheels.

The D-Light is 2.0mm at the ends and 1.65mm in the center.

SAP/GID14/310.L.NT D-Light Silver, Cut & Rolled to size for our retail customers, w/o nipple $0.94
SAP/GID14/310.LB.NT D-Light Black Cut & Rolled to size for our retail customers, w/o nipple $
     
     
Sapim Sprint
     

The Sprint is much like the D-Light, but is slightly larger in diameter in the center at 1.7mm. So it's really the best spoke for most wheels used by high mileage riders.

The Sprint is 2.0mm at the ends and 1.7mm in the center.

SAPWS24310-57 Sprint, Silver, Cut & Rolled to size for our retail customers, w/o nipple $0.75
SAPWS24270-38 Sprint, Black Cut & Rolled to size for our retail customers, w/o nipple $1.10

 

Sapim Force
     
Force spokes are ideal for tandems and very heavy riders. They are triple butted, diameter at the hub is 2.3mm, then thinning to 1.8mm in the center, and 2mm at the threaded end. We cut & roll the thread on these in 1mm increments. So if you need a 295mm length, we'll do it.
     
SAPWS22310-57 Force, Silver, Cut & Rolled to size for our retail customers, w/o nipple $0.95
SAPWS22310-58 Force, Black, Cut & Rolled to size for our retail customers, w/o nipple $1.25
     
     

 

Sapim Leader
     
The Leader spokes are straight gauge. These are fine for really small wheels using extremely short spoke lengths. So we have these in 186mm, and we cut & roll them to the size needed. We have these in black only.
     
SAP/GIO14/186.B Leader, Black, cut & rolled to size for our retail customers. 186mm and shorter, w/o nipple $0.44
     
   

 

Brass Nipples
     
I mostly build with brass nipples. I have lighter aluminum nipples as well. Sapim's Secure Lock nipples grip the spoke threads eliminating the need for thread compound. When we build wheels for you, we use a thread compound, saving some expense. But if you prefer, we can use the Secure Lock nipples. They just cost a bit more.
     
SAP/14G-R1 Sapim Polyax 14g 12mm nickel plated brass nipple. $0.10
SAP/14G-R1/B Sapim Polyax 14g 12mm black plated brass nipple. $0.16
     
SAP/14G-R3 Sapim Polyax 14g 14mm nickel plated brass nipple. $0.15
SAP/14G-R3/B Sapim Polyax 14g 14mm black plated brass nipple. $0.16
     
SAPWS80500-05 Sapim Polyax 14g 12mm Secure Lock nickel plated brass nipple. $
SAPWS80500-06 Sapim Polyax 14g 12mm Secure Lock black plated brass nipple. $
     
SAPWS80500-07 Sapim Polyax 14g 14mm Secure Lock nickel plated brass nipple. $0.25
SAPWS80500-08 Sapim Polyax 14g 14mm Secure Lock black plated brass nipple. $0.30
     
WSMBB16MM Wheelsmith 14g 16mm black plated brass nipple. $0.16
     
   

 

Aluminum Nipples
     
I mostly build with brass nipples. But I have lighter aluminum nipples as well. Sapim's Secure Lock nipples grip the spoke threads eliminating the need for thread compound. With aluminum nipples, the Secure Lock feature provides a more consistent grip on the spoke thread than you get with thread compound. This makes building with aluminum nipples as easy as with brass, and any later truing is less likely to result in damage to the aluminum nipple.
     
SAPWS80505-05 Sapim Polyax 14g 12mm Secure Lock silver aluminum nipple $0.45
SAPWS80505-06 Sapim Polyax 14g 12mm Secure Lock black aluminum nipple $0.45
     
   

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Peter White Cycles LLC
24 Hall Rd.
Hillsborough, NH 03244
USA
603 478 0900 Phone