Spokes
What is a spoke? You can define it in different ways: a piece of steel, a wire, a spring or, what we like best, the connection between the hub and the rim. Being the link between the hub and the rim, the spoke has multiple functions:
- Carry: spokes carry the weight of the bicycle as well as it load.
- Absorb: spokes absorb the irregularities of the road and ensure the comfort of the rider.
- Transmission: spokes transmit acceleration and braking effort of the rider.
When you see professional riders coming downhill at close to 90 km/h on their bike, you realize the vital importance to get the best quality of spokes and nipples.
We use different grade of steel, different diameters, heads, surfaces and, of course, length. Producing with care and on highest quality standards we offer the widest range in the market. All our spokes are produced in Sapim facility located in Europe and in Asia. In every production location we implemented an identical and strict quality control processes.
Head with bending
Our standard spokes have a bending length of 2,8 mm. This is optimal for at least 90% of the hubs in the market.
But sometimes the standard bendings
are wrong. Steel hubs need shorter bend. You can adjust this with our spoke washer (see page 34 for more details).
Material
Sapim uses only high grade stainless steel specially drawn to our own specification of material and tensile strength. The long term experience and many trials insure that Sapim spokes last long.
Precise definition and small tolerances are constant point of attention in the production process. This guarantees the highest quality for millions of spokes Sapim produces every year.
Thread
Spoke thread is rolled and not cut. Rolling the thread improve the strength. The name of the thread on a standard 2mm spoke is called FG 2,3 mm.
Options
The world of wheel building and the demand of the market can make spoke different to the standard. For some we have to add anti rotation parts, hammer head, torsion control squares (picture), colors (picture) or different bending length to the spokes (picture). Also a lot more
different spoke models are available only for manufacturers. Our variety insures that you can build up wheels with nearly all available rims and hubs and can repair all standard wheels. For repairs of special branded wheels you should contact your local distributor.
Straight and bending
Silver and black
Torsion control squares
Many different lengths
Surface treatment
Black oxidation is a chemical process that transfers the first few micron of the stainless steel surface into a black layer. This method has the advantage of being done in a bulk process, which has a positive effect on the price and capacity (availability and delivery time). This process is performed by high quality minded companies specially selected by Sapim to achieve the highest quality possible.
CX-Ray
The CX-Ray still receives one of the best results in fatigue testing of any spoke. Its unique strength and flexibility make the CX-Ray suitable for most bicycle disciplines. The middle section of the spoke is drawn then pressed in a special mold to form its specific profile. CX-Ray spokes are used by top bike racers and triathletes around the world. Even downhillers use them, recognizing their strength and flexibility. Special alloy treatment and sophisticated production make this all possible. The CX-Ray fits in all standard hub holes.
- No extra hub hole design; hub manufacturer‘s guarantee is unaffected.
- Almost as light as Titanium.
- More long lasting than any other spokes on the market.
- Extremely high fatigue test results.
- Special alloy treatment and sophisticated production.
- The best aerodynamic eliptic spoke available.
- Produced from high-tensile, fatigue-resistant 18/8 stainless steel conforming to the Sapim quality standard specifications.
Technical specs
Weight: (64 pcs x 260 mm lg) 272 g
Quality: AISI 302
Strength on middle section: 1600 N/mm2
Dimensions
Length: 135-310 mm
Diameter: 2.0 – (0.9×2.2) – 2.0 mm
Elliptic aero part
Options
- Rod (without bend)
- Self locking system
- Black (oxidised or chromed)
- Anti-rotation part
- Oval head
- 2-sides threading
- TCS
Laser
The Laser is a lightweight spoke. The thin middle section of 1,5 mm needs special care while building up the wheel. You may have to use pliers to hold the spoke to prevent the spokes from winding up. Only experienced wheel builders should mount up wheels with this spoke.
- Longlasting
- Highly flexible
- Better shock absorption thanks to the thin middle section
Technical specs
Diameter: 2.0 – 1.5 – 2.0
Length: 145-310 mm
Weight: 283 g (64 x 260 mm)
Strength on middle section: 1500 N/mm2
D-Light
The short 2mm section of the d-Light reduces weight especially on the threaded side. The 2mm section starts just at the beginning of the thread. Therefore, the rotating masses at the end of the spoke are especially reduced. This brings benefits to both the acceleration and braking qualities of the wheel. The use of 14G nipples offers a wide variety of combinations.
The middle section is increased to 1,65mm, which makes the spoke much stiffer and brings less torsion during truing than a 1,5mm middle section. This results in an easier building process of the wheels.
Designed for top quality MTB wheels with:
- Maximum strength
- Minimum weight
- Disc brake approval
Technical specs
Weight: (64 pcs x 260 mm lg) 307 g
Quality: Stainless
Strength on middle section: 1370 N/mm2
Dimensions
Length: 135-310 mm
Diamter: 2.0 – 1.65 – 2.0 mm
Options
- Rod (without bend) or different bend
- Self locking system
- Black (oxidised or chromed)
- Anti-rotation part
- Oval head
- 2-sides threading
Race
Race is a very popular double butted spoke. Build up tension is easy. Much less torsion and not as elastic as the Laser spokes are the key points. The Race provides a better shock absorption thanks to a thinner middle section than the one of a non-butted spokes. Dealers say about this traditional spoke: “Never change a winning team…”
Technical specs
Weight: 14G (64 pcs x 260 mm lg) 363 g
Quality: Stainless
Strength on middle section: 1300 N/mm2
Dimensions
Length: 135-310 mm
Diameter: 14G 2.0 – 1.8 – 2.0 mm
Options
- Rod (without bend) or different bend
- Self locking system
- Black (oxidised or chromed)
- Anti-rotation part
- Oval head
- 2-sides threading
- TCS
Leader
The Leader is the recommended choice for a day-to-day usage. A big variety of length is available. Diameters up to motorcycle usage can be produced.
Technical specs
Weight: 14G 2,0 mm (64 pcs x 260 mm lg) 431 g
Quality: Stainless
Strength on middle section: 1080 – 1180 N/mm2
Dimensions
Length: 145 – 310 mm
Diameter:
- 15G – 1.8 mm
- 14G – 2.0 mm
- 13G – 2.3 mm
- 12G – 2.6 mm
- 11G – 2.9 mm
Options
- Rod (without bend) or different bend
- Self locking system
- Black (oxidised or chromed)
- Anti-rotation part
- Oval head
- 2-sides threading
- TCS
Force
Technical specs
Weight: (64 pcs x 260 mm lg) 377 g
Quality: Stainless
Strength on middle section: 1400 N/mm2
Dimensions
Length: 160-305 mm
Diameter: 2.18 – 1.8 – 2.0 mm
Options
- Rod (without bend) or different bend
- Self locking system
- Black (oxidised or chromed)
- Anti-rotation part
- Oval head
- 2-sides threading
- TCS