The Sapim CX-Ray J-Bend is a bladed (aero) stainless steel spoke with a 0.9 × 2.2 mm flat mid-section and 2.0 mm (14G) round ends – one of the most widely used aero spokes in high-end wheel building. At BoodaBike it is black, cut to your length and sold per piece.
Why the CX-Ray?
Bladed aero profile. 2.0 mm round ends with a 0.9 × 2.2 mm flat mid-section. On a fast wheel 24–32 spokes cut through the air every turn – the blade meets it with its thin edge. 
Light without being fragile. Forged from high-tensile, fatigue-resistant 18/8 stainless steel, so you save weight without building a wheel that needs constant truing. 
Formed, not cut. Forged in one continuous process using elliptical dies, which keeps the material strong. 
J-bend head, 2.8 mm bend length. Sapim's standard bend length fits at least 90% of the hubs on the market; a spoke washer helps where a hub flange is thinner. 
Standard 14G ends. Works with standard hubs, rims and 14G nipples. 
Any length, cut in our workshop. Shops often sell CX-Rays only in boxes of fixed lengths – we cut each spoke to the length you need.
The bladed aero profile
1 – round 2.0 mm (14G) end of the CX-Ray, at the head and the thread. 2 – the CX-Ray blade in the mid-section: 2.2 × 0.9 mm, forged with elliptical dies. 3 – airflow.
The blade meets the air with its thin 0.9 mm edge – less drag than a round spoke. Cross-sections to scale.
J-bend or straight pull?
1 – J-bend: the head hooks through the flange hole; the classic, most common hub type.
2 – Straight pull: no bend at all; the head sits in a slot of the hub and the spoke runs straight to the rim.
Not sure which one your hub needs? Send us the hub model and we check it before cutting.
Who is it for?
- Road, triathlon and gravel riders. A faster, lighter wheel.
- Wheel builders. Reliable aero spokes in exact lengths.
- Riders upgrading a classic J-bend hub wheel. From round to aero spokes.
- Riders replacing a broken CX-Ray. On an existing high-end wheel.
Specifications
| Model | Sapim CX-Ray |
|---|---|
| Head type | J-Bend |
| Gauge | 14G (2.0 mm ends) |
| Profile | 2.0 – (0.9 × 2.2) – 2.0 mm, bladed |
| Thread | 2.0 mm (FG 2.3) |
| Material | Stainless steel 18/8 |
| Colour | Black (black oxidation) |
| Nipples | Any 14G nipple, e.g. Sapim Polyax Double Square aluminium |
| 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.
Will the CX-Ray J-bend fit my hub?
The standard Sapim bend length of 2.8 mm fits at least 90% of hubs. If your hub flange is thin and the spoke head has play, a spoke washer solves it.
Which nipples fit?
The spoke ends are 2.0 mm (14G), so any standard 14G nipple fits. We offer the black Sapim Polyax Double Square aluminium nipple (16 mm), sold per piece.
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?
- 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.
- Orderable even when out of stock. If a length is not on the shelf, you can still order it.
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 use in our own wheels. 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.About Sapim