Sapim CX-Ray Spokes - Black

Review for Sapim CX-Ray J bend spokes - expensive but well made spokes. The aero cross section helps during building to watch for and stop spoke wind up.

Pros: Beautiful spokes

Cons: Expensive

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: May 22, 2013
Reviewed by: Chris, CA

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Sapim CX-Ray Spokes

Read great things about these spokes, and being a novice wheel builder, thought I'd try a bladed spoke for the ease of use (identifies twisting). I had no issues with the build, and the wheels are working great. Still true after many rides without any adjustments (credit to me and not the spokes likely) and none have broken. Only downside, and it's dumb, is that if you stuck your finger in the wheel while turning, you might not see that thing again. SHARP.

Pros: high quality, bladed for easy assembly, no issues.

Cons: SHARP.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: November 02, 2012
Reviewed by: Nathan G., California

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Best priced light weight bladed spoke there is.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: October 04, 2012
Reviewed by: Paul S., Oregon

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These are the best spokes!!! They are extremely light and skinny. Not only are they bladed but the width is extremely narrow which helps againts cross wind.
They are expensive but worth every penny.
I use these for all my road wheelsets.

Pros: strong
light
fast

Cons: expensive, but worth it!

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 12, 2012
Reviewed by: Stewart C., Oregon

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Great spokes but expensive

Light and fast!
These spokes are light and fast. Also, since you can hold the spoke (with a bladed spoke holder tool- or a tiny crescent wrench) there will be minimal to no spoke wind-up in the build process. If they are as strong as claimed then they should be about perfect other than the cost.

Pros: Makes for an easy wheel build as the spoke can be held so wind-up is eliminated.

Cons: Pricey

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: May 05, 2012
Reviewed by: Josh K., Washington

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Sapim CX-Ray Spokes

I used these spokes to build a sweet road tubeless wheelset with King hubs and Alpha 340 rim. The price is high, but cheap compared to DT Aerolite and the results were awsesome. The spokes felt very fragile, but when laced up to tension they were very strong. All the threads were perfect and went into the nipples smooth without any crossthreading. The bends fit the hub eyelet perfectly and lacing the 3x was a snap.

Pros: Easy to work with. Excellent craftsmanship. Less expensive than DT Aerolite.

Cons: Only available in even lengths. I had to get some that were 3mm longer than I needed, but they worked fine.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: February 16, 2012
Reviewed by: Jeff, Texas

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Best bladed spokes

I bought these as a replacement for some American Classic wheels when a couple spokes broke (one broke, I dealt with it, but I had to do something when a second broke). These are not as extreme of a blade as the AC wheels, but they fit through any spoke hole, are very high quality (good threads!). I would definitely use these if I was custom-building a road or XC race wheelset.

Pros: High quality
Unifory color
Reliable

Cons: Not the cheapest option, but not the most expensive either.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: November 15, 2011
Reviewed by: Erik K., Colorado

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Never broke a CX-Ray

I've never broke one of these, even on my 29er race wheelset. Granted I am 145 lb, but these have stood up to tons of abuse.

Pros: Light, durable, aero

Cons: pricey

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: October 25, 2011
Reviewed by: Owen R., California

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While a bit expensive, it's worth it (to me) for the high strength, reduced weight and improved reliability.

I rebuilt my AC420 rear wheel that was starting to experience random spoke fatigue failures. It was time to replace the whole set so I could stop worrying about being stranded.

They do wind up easily, but it's easy to react by holding the blade. You can ensure there is no residual torsional stress simply by verifying their visual alignment.

It feels at least as stiff as the original.

Cons: Expensive

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: April 16, 2011
Reviewed by: One-G, Redmond, WA

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almost as light as dt aerolites and cheaper, and I have not noticed a difference between the two. I would use these before aerolites anyday

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: April 08, 2011
Reviewed by: Laerzio C., Alberta

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The best....

I've started using these spokes on even my MTB wheels, and they are SOLID. Very strong, and they are about the same weight as DT Revolution spokes.

Building the wheel is easier to me, you can use a tool to hold the blade from spinning as you turn the nipple, so you don't get the wind up factor of normal round spokes.

The wheel feels stiff, and stays nice and true as well.

Only thing is the price, but if you want light and strong, it won't be cheap.

Pros: Light, strong, easy to build with.

Cons: Expensive, almost triple the price of a round spoke, sometimes even more.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: November 16, 2010
Reviewed by: 10kman, Pennsylvania

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super srong spoke and stiff, I have hit rocks and logs on these and have no problems with wheel true or breakage, no problems lacing the bladed spoke, need to use a good spoke prep to reduce wind up

Pros: super srong spoke and stiff

Cons: need to use a good spoke prep to reduce wind up, I guess they are expensive but you get what you paid for

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 19, 2010
Reviewed by: Ryan F., Oregon

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These spokes are great for building up an amazing set of wheels. They are super lightweight and very aero. I like that they are aerodynamic without being obnoxiously wide. The spokes do twist a little bit while getting them up to tension, but its easier to control with the bladed section than it is with double-butted spokes. They seem strong and wheel flex is reasonable. Overall, great for making your own lightweight and nice looking wheel.

Pros: Aerodynamic and light. Sharp look.

Cons: Expensive.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 16, 2010
Reviewed by: Brandon, Oregon

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