Hello! Mark Petry from Bainbridge Island, WA. I'm 30 year cyclist, I have 15 bikes ranging from classic Cinelli to titanium full suspension and probably 50 sets of wheels, and almost all of those wheels have DT spokes! Until recently I considered DT the world standard in spokes and specified them in all my wheels, as well as recommended them for friends and associates. I'm an active participant in 3 Internet discussion groups devoted to high-end cycling, and this topic has received quite a lot of attention in the last few weeks. I can tell you that the response from the cycling community on your spoke head design change is 100% negative.
While I understand that the new spoke head design is to accomodate the DT/Hugi hub, and that the concept of "dedicated" spokes may be desireable from a marketing standpoint, the net result of this action is that the vast majority of the high end cycling market (the discriminating cyclists that would specify DT spokes) will seek an alternative product that better meets their needs.
I will NOT recommend DT spokes with the new head design and will actively investigate an alternative product.
I URGE you to revisit your decision to modify the spoke head design. It is a marketing driven decision, I'm sure, to maximize market penetration with the hub product, but you have alienated your customer base and I'm sure your spoke sales will suffer as a result.
================================================ Mark Petry Page/Voicemail: 800.401.3451 Beautiful Bainbridge Island, WA ================================================ mailto:mpetry@bainbridgeisland.net ================================================ "Most of american life consists of driving somewhere and then returning home, wondering why the hell you went."
John Updike, "Rabbit at Rest" ================================================