Good online resources for wheel build

Having got a little a sick of certain LBSs attitude when trying to buy spokes, I wondered if anyone had any particular recommendations for online sources of nipples, spokes, spoke punches etc?

Esp looking for a source of sapim spokes as I've been wanting to build some wheels with 'em for a while.

Strangely, I found the Holborn branch of Evans were able to supply me with black double-butted Sapim spokes without batting an eyelid.

When I built up my last wheelset I found it near enough impossible to find the spokes I wanted online. Online retailers are only interested in selling you packs of 100 at £60.

In my town, I got mine from Action Bikes. Just rung them up and said what I wanted - "we'll have them by the end of the week, sir". 50p for spoke and nipple.

I'll be getting mine from there again!

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk

They do DT Swiss in any length and number starting from 30p each, plus postage. I usually get all my spokes from them. I used to get them from awcycles who supplied Sapim in all varieties, but now only do CX ray. I'll check out Evans in Holborn as I had someone asking me to do a wheel with black Sapim spokes.

This is a good resource if you are building your own..

DT SWISS Spoke Calculator

Click on anynomous usage.

Thanks for all the info.

I was secretly hoping there was some resource better than St Johns (great folks - I just find their selection of stuff a little limited ie I need to get some coloured nipples for a friend, a spoke punch thats better than what I'm currently using etc).

fixedpip Thanks for all the info.

I was secretly hoping there was some resource better than St Johns (great folks - I just find their selection of stuff a little limited ie I need to get some coloured nipples for a friend, a spoke punch thats better than what I'm currently using etc).

Coloured nipples

I ordered my Sapim Laser spokes from http://www.dotbike.com, they don't seem to stock any others though!

Found them to have OK rates, good selection of lengths in stock, and the spokes are apparently strong and triple butted and (important for me) available in black.

fixedpip Thanks for all the info.

I was secretly hoping there was some resource better than St Johns (great folks - I just find their selection of stuff a little limited ie I need to get some coloured nipples for a friend, a spoke punch thats better than what I'm currently using etc).

Why not just ring up a lbs rather than limit yourself to a crap range online? OK, you might have to wait a week but you get exactly what you want...

eeehhhh
Why not just ring up a lbs rather than limit yourself to a crap range online? OK, you might have to wait a week but you get exactly what you want...

I'd love to but my LBSs are pigging useless. Couldn't even order a Campy threaded headset through them (tried two) and they just won't deal with spokes etc as they want you to pay them to build a wheel.

Thats what its like out here in the sticks.

Fair enough. I know what you mean about useless LBSs - I must admit I was quite surprised mine got what I wanted.