Spokes & nipples

Experience the highest quality and performance with our DT Swiss spokes. Precisely manufactured and durable, they offer optimal stability and load-bearing capacity for every riding experience. Discover our range now and give your bicycle that extra touch of reliability.

The right spoke for every wheel

Spokes are an integral part of a wheel. They connect the hub and rim, transfer drive and braking forces, and also influence the weight and handling of your bike. That is why you should not compromise on quality when building your dream wheel - whether it is an upgrade for your road bike, mountain bike, gravel bike, trekking bike, or e-bike. Here you will find everything you need to know.

What types of spokes are there?

Different types of spokes are used depending on the intended use and wheel type. You can distinguish them by their cross-sectional shape and the way their ends are manufactured.

Round spokes

Classic round spokes are cylindrical, meaning they have a round cross-section, as their name suggests. They are also known as straight-gauge spokes when they have a consistent diameter throughout. This is usually 2 mm, but thinner versions (1.8 mm) and thicker variants (2.3 mm) for heavier loads are also available. Robust and durable, they are used on city bikes and e-bikes as well as mountain bikes and road bikes.

Butted spokes

This is a special type of round spoke: it has a slightly tapered shape, making it thinner in the middle than at both ends. This saves weight while also increasing durability through better load distribution. That is why butted spokes are popular for sporty applications and are used in higher-quality wheels. Other names for butted spokes, which also refer to their characteristic shape, are double-butted or double-thickness spokes.

Bladed spokes

They are the spokes of choice if you want maximum aerodynamics. Bladed spokes have a flattened cross-section, which reduces their air resistance. They are therefore particularly popular on road bikes and triathlon wheels, where they cut through the air like knives.

Starting from the ends: the difference between J-Bend and Straight Pull

Most spokes have a threaded end on one side to attach them to the rim (more on this below). The other end is what makes the difference. The type you need depends on your hub, as it must be compatible with it. Here are the two common variants:

J-Bend spokes

The name already describes the key feature: J-Bend spokes have a bent end that hooks into the hub. For this, the hub only needs to have a flange with a circle of holes.

J-Bend spokes are the classic option, proven for many decades and compatible with a large number of hubs. Because the bend has occasionally proved somewhat more susceptible to material fatigue than the rest of the spoke, it is sometimes reinforced. When this is the case, they are also referred to as single-butted spokes. Even without this feature, J-Bend spokes are generally very robust and durable.

For people who like to work on their own bikes, this may be important: J-Bend spokes are considered particularly easy to true because they cannot turn along with the spoke nipple. So if one is ever damaged, it can be replaced quickly.

Straight-Pull spokes

The second common type does without the characteristic bend: the Straight-Pull spoke. The matching hubs therefore do not have a conventional flange; instead, they must have special fittings into which the spoke is inserted directly (hence the name). Straight-Pull spokes are considered particularly durable because they lack the critical point at the spoke bend. They can therefore be used with higher tension, which is especially relevant when fewer spokes are to be installed in your wheel.

Material: stainless steel spokes for maximum durability

Most high-quality bicycle spokes are made of stainless steel. They are drawn to the appropriate size while cold, which work-hardens the material. These are referred to as cold-worked or cold-forged spokes. Stainless steel offers:

• high tensile strength
• corrosion resistance
• long service life

Aero spokes are sometimes also made of carbon or aluminium. Both materials are particularly light; carbon spokes also offer even higher tensile strength than their metal counterparts. However, they generally have to be bonded (laminated), as they cannot be threaded. The material is also more brittle and can therefore break more easily.

Spokes are often black-coated or sometimes available in colours - ideal for individual wheel designs.

How many spokes does a wheel need?

The number of spokes depends on the bicycle type, the rider's weight, and the intended use. Generally speaking, more spokes provide greater stability, while fewer spokes reduce weight and improve aerodynamics. However, other factors, such as the lacing technique and the interaction of the various components in the wheel system, also always play a role. Important: The number of spokes is determined by your rim and hub, whose hole counts must match. Here is an overview of the common spoke counts:

• Road bike: Since weight optimisation is often a priority, the aim is to use as few spokes as possible. The front wheel is often built with fewer spokes because it carries less load than the rear wheel. Typical figures are 20-24 spokes at the front (though fewer are also possible depending on the tension) and 24-28 spokes at the rear.
• Gravel bike / Cyclocross: Usually, 24-32 spokes are used. The exact number depends on the intended use. For example, if you race your gravel bike, your focus is probably more on aerodynamics and weight optimisation, so you would choose a solution with fewer spokes. If you need a robust companion for long bikepacking tours, it certainly does not hurt to choose 28 or 32 spokes.
• Mountain bike: The number of spokes varies between 28 and 36, depending on how demanding the terrain is where you plan to ride. The challenge when choosing is often to find a particularly good balance between the stability and elasticity of the spokes.
• Trekking & city bike: Since these bikes should primarily be robust, they normally use 32-36 spokes. E-bikes and cargo bikes often have 36 spokes or even more for maximum stability.

Determining the correct spoke length

Spoke length is crucial for a stable wheel. The best way to determine it is with spoke calculators, which major manufacturers often provide online. You need the following parameters:

• Effective Rim Diameter (ERD). This is the distance from rim bed to rim bed at two exactly opposite points
• Hub type and, if applicable, additional details about the hub flange
• Number of spokes and lacing pattern (e.g. 2-cross or 3-cross)

For wheel building, the spoke length should always be calculated precisely to ensure optimum tension and durability.

Spoke nipples

But how are the spokes attached to the rim? The simple answer: with spoke nipples. These are small sleeves with an internal thread. This must match the thread at the end of your spoke exactly. Spoke nipples often have a square outer shape that protrudes through the rim's spoke hole. The nipple can be turned there to adjust the spoke tension. They also often have a slot for a screwdriver in the nipple head, which makes it easier to quickly screw the nipple onto the spoke during wheel building. However, other nipple shapes are also available, such as hexagonal and square or Torx and square. The principle is always the same: the nipples can be turned from two sides.

Material and other properties

Aluminium nipples are particularly light. They can reduce the wheel's weight by up to 0.5 grams per nipple. Brass nipples, on the other hand, are more robust and corrosion-resistant. Spoke nipples are offered by various manufacturers, such as Sapim or DT Swiss. For a special eye-catching touch, you can also choose coloured nipples.