What material are the spokes made of?

• A. Aluminum
• B. Titanium
• C. Stainless steel
• D. Carbon fiber

Answer: (C)

Spokes must handle constant tension while staying durable and true, even in wet or salty conditions and over rough roads. Titanium stands out because it offers a strong strength-to-weight advantage, so you get a lighter wheel without compromising strength. It also resists corrosion very well, which helps spokes last longer in the elements, and it has excellent fatigue resistance, meaning they withstand the repeated bending and straightening as you ride and the wheel spins. Aluminum is lighter but not as durable over time under repeated loads; stainless steel is strong and corrosion-resistant but heavier than titanium; carbon fiber spokes are very light and stiff but can be brittle and are more costly and less forgiving for field repairs. So titanium provides the best combination of light weight, durability, and longevity among these options.