International Delivery 
Sapim CX-Ray Straight Pull Spoke – Black - 252 mm
The Sapim CX-Ray Straight Pull is a bladed (aero) stainless steel spoke with a 0.9 × 2.2 mm flat mid-section and 2.0 mm (14G) round ends. It is one of the most widely used aero spokes in high-end wheel building – light, very strong and noticeably more aerodynamic than a round spoke. At BoodaBike it comes in black, cut to your length and sold per piece.
Sapim CX-Ray – manufacturer image. The spokes we sell are black.
Why a CX-Ray – the problems it solves
- Round spokes create drag. On a fast wheel, 24–32 round spokes cut through the air every turn. The CX-Ray blade meets the air with its thin edge, so the wheel loses less energy to drag.
- Light wheels usually mean fragile wheels. The CX-Ray is forged from high-tensile, fatigue-resistant 18/8 stainless steel, so you save weight without building a wheel that needs constant truing.
- Rare lengths are hard to find. Shops often sell CX-Rays only in boxes of fixed lengths. We cut each spoke to the exact length you need – ideal for repairs and custom builds.
- Straight-pull hubs need straight-pull spokes. A straight-pull spoke has no bend at the head, so there is no weak point at the elbow and the spoke runs in a straight line from hub to rim.
Who is it for?
- Road, triathlon and gravel riders who want a faster, lighter wheel.
- Wheel builders who need reliable aero spokes in exact lengths.
- Owners of straight-pull hubs who need spokes that match their hub design.
- Riders replacing a broken CX-Ray on an existing high-end wheel.
Key features
- Bladed aero profile: 2.0 mm round ends with a 0.9 × 2.2 mm flat mid-section.
- Forged in one continuous process using elliptical dies – the shape is formed, not cut, which keeps the material strong.
- High-tensile, fatigue-resistant 18/8 stainless steel – made for long life under constant load changes.
- Standard 14G ends: works with standard hubs, rims and 14G nipples.
- Straight-pull head: no elbow at the hub – the head sits in the hub slot and the spoke runs straight to the rim.
- Black finish – Sapim blackens its stainless spokes by black oxidation.
Our black CX-Ray straight pull spoke.
Specifications
| Model | Sapim CX-Ray |
|---|---|
| Head type | Straight pull |
| Gauge | 14G (2.0 mm ends) |
| Profile | 2.0 – (0.9 × 2.2) – 2.0 mm, bladed |
| Thread | 2.0 mm (FG 2.3) |
| Colour | Black |
| Nipples | Any 14G nipple – e.g. Sapim Polyax or Double Square |
| Sold | Per piece, cut to the selected length, without nipple |
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the right spoke length?
The correct length depends on your hub (flange diameter and spacing), your rim (ERD – effective rim diameter) and the lacing pattern. Use a spoke length calculator, or send us your hub and rim model and we will help you check it before we cut the spokes.
Which nipples fit?
The spoke ends are 2.0 mm (14G), so any standard 14G nipple fits. We recommend Sapim nipples: the black Polyax brass nipple (12 mm) for everyday wheels, or the black Double Square aluminium nipple (16 mm) for deep and carbon rims.
Can I replace just one broken spoke?
Yes. Order the same model, head type and length as the broken spoke – all our spokes are sold per piece. Re-tension and true the wheel after fitting the new spoke.
Do bladed spokes need a special tool?
A bladed spoke can twist while you tighten the nipple. Hold it with a bladed-spoke holder (for example the Sapim CX/CX-Ray key) so the blade stays aligned with the direction of travel.
Why buy Sapim spokes from BoodaBike
BoodaBike grew out of Massive Bikes, a Budapest workshop that has been building belt-drive and hub-gear bikes since 2013. We build and service wheels ourselves, so we stock the spokes we trust in our own wheels.
- Cut to your length. We keep long black spokes in stock and cut every spoke to the length you order in our own workshop – no waiting for a rare length to come in.
- Sold per piece. Buy one spare for a broken spoke or a full set for a new wheel – you pay for exactly what you need.
- All black. Every spoke we sell is black, for a clean, consistent look on modern wheels.
- Orderable even when out of stock. If a spoke is not on the shelf, you can still order it – we order it in for you.
About Sapim
Sapim is a Belgian manufacturer that has specialised in bicycle spokes and nipples since 1918. From its headquarters in Wilrijk (Antwerp) and more than six factories in Europe and Asia, the company can produce around 600 million spokes and nipples a year. Sapim introduced the CX-Ray aero spoke and the Polyax nipple in 1995 – both are still benchmarks in wheel building today. The company also runs its own independent testing department (Cycling Parts Testing) for wheel and bicycle manufacturers.