'The wheels are hand built with Twin Thread stainless steel elliptical spokes - threaded at both ends, thus eliminating the nail head end of the spoke or a j-bend to accommodate the hub. The advantage you ask? A straight spoke is stronger and can tolerate higher tensions than a spoke with a bend in it. So eliminate the bend and you eliminate a point of weakness - ever notice how spokes usually break near the bend? When combined with threading the spokes at both ends (allowing higher tension) you get a stiffer, stronger wheel...' More