Are the CX Rays worth the considerable price difference? Looks like Lasers are the same weight and cost 1/3... is the aero that noticeable? The Vueltas I had for a few years had bladed spokes and the Ksyrium SLs have awesomely thick bladed spokes... want to build up a new road wheelset for myself (jerry special - BHS hubs on pacenti sl23).... and wondering if I should invest in the higher priced spokes...

Also... can I still run my 23 tires on the sl23? I like the odea of running wider tires but that is not in the budget at the moment and I like the tires I'm on...

Thoughts?

Looking specifically at sapim laser OR cx ray

KB wrote on 10/15/13 at 3:00pm:

While true, I think the limiting factor of ultimate spoke tension is the rim and/or spoke nipple.  I think you can build a stiff wheel with most DB'd spokes using the appropriate rim.  At least that's been my experience.   

I would say the effects of a bladed spoke would be almost unnoticeable unless you're generating tons of wattage and speed or where 100's of a second in lap time is the difference between 1st and 2nd place.

Only use blades when I need to, as in lower spoke count wheels. Being more elastic, they never feel as stiff to me, but seem to have a good ride quality.  I've got wheels with Lasers on both side , some with Race on the drive side only. If your after stiff go with Race on both side. Laser are a PIA to build with. The aero benefits of bladed spokes has never been proven. Spoke count / rider weight/riding style/ hub dimensions, all need to be considered when building road wheels.

23c tires on the wider rims is fine. It was a noticeable change in handling and ride quality for me. You can also drop about 5lbs. off your pressure with the wider rims.

Don't use any thick tape/ rim strip on the SL23 rim or you will never get the tires on. If you want to save about $100 go with the 279 Kinlin rim. It is 23 wide, plenty stiff , but it weighs about 45 grams more.

I have a set of SL-23 with a 24/28 build. Using a 210gr. rear hub 2X x 2X,   and a 85gr. front radial,  built with Laser all the way around. THe set was 1440 gr.

You could replace 1/2, or all the rear with Race and go 3X and still be under 1500. I try to encourage most people to at least use the Race on Drive side.

I went with Lasers on the set I built this spring (Circus Monkey/Lasers/Kinlin XR-200). Was sent some Race by mistake, it was startling how much thinker/heavier they are. Didn't really have any issues with windup whilst getting them tensioned.

Just got some Enve 3.4's, figured I might as well go with CX-Rays since the price was already ridiculous. Can't say I feel a huge difference, to be honest...despite the aero advantage, etc.