Building a Classic MTB Wheelset: Ringle Hub & Mavic 117 SUP Ceramic Rim

[M_YBB]

Hello,
I'm planning to build a front wheel for my 26" MTB with components from 1992–1994. The hub is a Ringle, and the rim is a Mavic 117 32H SUP Ceramic.

Which spokes and nipples would you recommend? Ideally, I’d like black spokes and turquoise anodized nipples.
The rear will follow as soon as I have acquired a Ringle Rear hub
Thanks for your advice!

 

[joglo]

sorry to start with rather a bit of an concern instead of an recommendation, black spokes haven't been popular, maybe not even existing before End of the Nineties.
At least to me, there isn't any wheel set with black spokes which fit to a classic mountain bike.

The rest sounds great. I would assume the bubba hub is turquoise too?

 

[shepp]

sorry to start with rather a bit of an concern instead of an recommendation, black spokes haven't been popular, maybe not even existing before End of the Nineties.
At least to me, there isn't any wheel set with black spokes which fit to a classic mountain bike.

The rest sounds great. I would assume the bubba hub is turquoise too?

Oh but the generation 1 Mavic CrossMax (1996/7) looked amazing with the black spokes!

 

[M_YBB]

Oh, I thought SAPIM had some (maybe I am wrong). However, I also like the EDO Sports Fiber Flight ones. As it is for a bike, which won't be ridden in the Mountains anymore, it would makes sense

However, how do I know, which spoke length I need?

As I am still missing a Ringle rear hub, Spengle 1 in Black would be an option.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Be wary of anodised alloy nipples, if you want to still ride the bike in 10 years time.

Trust brass.
Trust dt competition.

sorry to start with rather a bit of an concern instead of an recommendation, black spokes haven't been popular, maybe not even existing before End of the Nineties.
At least to me, there isn't any wheel set with black spokes which fit to a classic mountain bike.

I also agree that black spokes were so rare in the early 90s that they will look wrong on a vintage bike.
Coloured nipples were more common - even ti-dye spokes, although they proved to be less reliable, but due to fatigue rather than decomposition.

Now ti-dye spokes with anodised nipples, you're talking extreme retro
()

 

[M_YBB]

That would be an option: Marwi Ti-Dye Titanium Spokes... however, how do I find out, which light I would need?

I have tried ChatGPT:

Estimated Values:​

• Mavic 117 SUP Ceramic ERD: ~540 mm (can you confirm this?)
• Ringle Bubba front hub specs(approximate, confirm if possible):
  • Flange diameter: 58 mm
  • Flange-to-center distance: 37 mm (both sides)

Assuming a 32-hole, 3-cross (3x) lacing pattern, I can calculate the spoke length using these values. Let me know if you have the exact measurements, or I can proceed with estimates.

For a 32-hole, 3-cross lacing pattern, your spoke length should be approximately 263 mm. It’s always a good idea to round to the nearest available spoke size (e.g., 262 mm or 264 mm, depending on availability).

​

 

[joglo]

Oh but the generation 1 Mavic CrossMax (1996/7) looked amazing with the black spokes!

yes, sure, CrossMaxx are really cool, and maybe the introduction End of 96 was next to the dark XTR950 group even a bit like a ground breaker for making black bike components and full black wheel sets popular.
But this happend with Saison 97 (and V-brakes, 2nd gen suspension forks and others stuff) typically not matching well to Bikes from early Nineties.

Therefore I would just like to encourage to build a nice wheel set with Bubba hubs and anodized nipples with ideally non-black spokes.

 

[PhillB]

Hi, there are a number of Spoke length calculators available online. Some of them are not always accurate, but I've found this one to be OK.

https://spokelengthcalculator.com/

It has a lot of Hubs and Rims already in it's database, but you can also measure yours if it's not there.

In terms of black spokes and alloy nipples...I would agree with the comments above, v. rare to see black spokes before the later 90's.

Having said that, I also really like them on some bikes depending on the paintwork and overall look and I have built several all black wheels into early 90's bikes, I've restored Depends on what you want really!

 

[M_YBB]

...but I've found this one to be OK.

https://spokelengthcalculator.com/

It has a lot of Hubs and Rims already in it's database, but you can also measure yours if it's not there.

Perfect!

 

[bikeworkshop]

That would be an option: Marwi Ti-Dye Titanium Spokes... however, how do I find out, which light I would need?

I have tried ChatGPT:

Estimated Values:​

• Mavic 117 SUP Ceramic ERD: ~540 mm (can you confirm this?)
• Ringle Bubba front hub specs(approximate, confirm if possible):
  • Flange diameter: 58 mm
  • Flange-to-center distance: 37 mm (both sides)

Assuming a 32-hole, 3-cross (3x) lacing pattern, I can calculate the spoke length using these values. Let me know if you have the exact measurements, or I can proceed with estimates.

For a 32-hole, 3-cross lacing pattern, your spoke length should be approximately 263 mm. It’s always a good idea to round to the nearest available spoke size (e.g., 262 mm or 264 mm, depending on availability).

​

I wouldn't even trust Chat GPT as far as I can throw it, but those figures are in the zone for early shallow mavic 26 mtb/ small flange hub 32⁰ - we used to build loads back then.

They were usually somewhere between 260 and 266

We used to buy boxes of 1000 dt comps in these lengths

Use a few spoke calculators, and check youre measuring right.

You dont want to get it wrong if you're buying titanium spokes - but you will have the coolest wheels