Any question answered...

Back in 1990, Spoks were about as aero as you easily get hold of; Specialized trispokes were hard to come by and Zipp were in their infancy. Even then, though, they were heavy and flexy, but also strong. They have beefed them up to make them a bit less flexy, and I'm guessing a bit less aero*, and everybody else has moved on; Zipp got really good at aero, Hed took over the Specialized wheel and you can now buy them at Wiggle. Spoks keep rolling on because they are still strong (hence the police and wheelchair versions) and relatively cheap, as well as maintenance free. You can't blame the company for the arbitrary tastes of hipster fixie skidders, and I guess they'll keep making them for what were their original markets if the hipsters get tired of them and move on.

*Relative to the leading edge designs, like Zipp 808, Spoks are still only 5W @ 50km/h behind, and sit alongside Campag Boras. Zicral spoked Ksyriums are another 10W behind Spoks.

A clear answer, thanks once again (again again again). The spok I had a play with today span buttery smooth despite being an old beaten up one. I can see what you mean about zero maint.

The bottom line is I wouldn't really mind one on one of my bikes in some circumstances but I couldn't bare to ride a wheel like that in the city. Nothing to do with the snide comments either.