DT Swiss Champion Spokes

Choosing spokes seems like an afterthought, but I like to take my time and try to pick everything on my bike for a reason. I built my last season's wheelset with DT Champion spokes even if people said that butted spokes are better.

I built up a WTB asym i29 rim on a Nukeproof Neutron rear hub (which died) and I didn not feel like paying 2-3$/spoke. I don't build wheels often, and I am usually not too hard on wheels so I thought that these spokes would do the job. I'm glad I didn't invest too much on spokes since my hub died and I build a new wheel with DT 350 hubs and new rim + spokes.

I used a Park tension meter to build the wheel with even tension, and I didn't have to touch the tension once in the season even if I rode lots of fast rocky trails and jumps on a short-travel bike. If the hub hadn't died (freehub pawls broke and destroyed the inside mechanism) I'd probably still be riding the same wheel without having adjusted the tension. Butted spokes are apparently more durable and compliant because of their taper, but I didn't feel much difference with the same tension vs my new wheel built with Sapim Race butted spokes.

The finish is durable, the length are consistent in the same size, and the threads are clean and well cut. I have used DT brass nipples and didn't have a single issue when building the wheel.

For people who want durability and strength the DT Champion are a good choice. I'll see after this season's use if the butted Sapim spokes hold better, but so far this is pretty much a tie.