The information is on this page is designed to help you select a wheel that is right for you. If you are interested in more detailed information about wheels and wheel building, we recommend reading The Art of Wheel Building by Gerd Schraner or The Bicycle Wheel by Jobst Brandt. Both of these comprehensive books are well written and provide good information for the first-time hobbyist to the professional wheel builder.
If you have any other questions, please email us

To ensure quality and consistency of our wheel builds Excel Sports only sells quality spokes manufactuered by by DT Swiss. We offer 5 different types of spokes to choose from: 14 Gauge Champion, 14-15 Gauge Competition, 14-15 Gauge Competition Black, 14-17 Guage Revolution and Aerolite spokes. Read below descriptions to help you select the correct spoke for your application.

DT Swiss Champion 14 Gauge Spokes
These spokes are the original design with the same diameter across the entire length of the spoke. Also known as straight gauge spokes, they are the strongest and least expensive spokes we sell, but also the heaviest. Recommend for riders over 230lbs and budget wheel builds.

DT Swiss Competition 14-15 Gauge Spokes
Our 14-15 gauge spoke is made by DT Swiss and has a 14 gauge thickness at the end of each spoke and tapers down to 15 gauge in the center of the spoke. This process is called "butting"or "tapering". Butting reduces weight and creates a more forgiving ride quality over a straight 14 gauge spoke. The 14-15 gauge is almost as strong as a straight 14 gauge spoke and is the best choice for most wheel builds. Recommended for mountain wheels with disc brakes, road wheels for training and riders looking for durability, value and and weight savings over 14 gauge spokes.

DT Swiss Revolution 14-17 Gauge Spokes
14-17 gauge spokes were originaly developed by DT Swiss. Also known as DT Revolutions, these super-butted spokes are spokes one of the lightest spokes available. 14-17 gauge spokes will save over 1/8lbs per 14-15g wheelset and over 1/4lbs over a 14g wheelset (32 hole) and offer a very resilient ride quality. Not recommended for heavy riders or sprinters. Recommended for event wheels and riders looking for a light but durable wheel. The Revolution spokes give the wheel and slightly softer and lively ride quality.

DT Swiss Aerolite Spokes
The absolute best and strongest spoke you can buy. Special forging process makes them as light as a Revolution spoke but as durable as a 14 gauge spoke. Slight ovalazation reduces drag. The Aerolite is only available is certain lengths, so you will need to call or email us to find out if we have the proper length for your wheel build. Recomended for any application if it fits your budget.

Brass
The most durable and corrosion resistant choice. Weight penalty over Alloy Nipples

Alloy
Great weight-saving choice. Alloy Nipples are less than half the weight of a brass nipple. A wheel built with alloy nipples will save over 50 grams of outer rotational weight over a wheel built with brass. Alloy can "round off" more easily than brass, are not recommended for rims without eyelets and can corrode in coastal areas near salt water with "sea air".

Excel Sports offers three lacing patterns for you to chose from. Read the below descriptions to help you select the proper choice for your riding style and application.

3 Cross
3 Cross or 3X, means the spoke crosses over 3 spokes from the hub to the rim. This is the indusrtry standard spoking pattern for strong, durable wheels.

2 Cross
With 2 Cross patterns, the spoke crosses over two other spokes from the hub to the rim. 2 Cross uses a slightly shorter spoke than 3 Cross and produces a lighter and more resilient wheel. Good Choice for front wheels and 28 hole wheels.

Radial
Radial laced or 'straight laced' wheels have spokes that travel from the hub to the rim without crossing another spoke. This is the lightest way to build a wheel and provides a crisp and slightly stiffer ride quality than a cross lacing. Radial Lacing may only be applied to front wheels or the non-drive side of rear wheels.

Please Note: Radial lacing a wheel will void the warranty of the hub by some manufacturers.