A typical bicycle wheel uses 14 gauge 2mm steel wire for spokes. On a 36 spoke 3 cross build for a 26" rim the front spoke length is 10 to 10.5 in. based on the hub flange. A round spoke and a box section aluminum rim seem to give the best durability for the weight. Short of spending hundreds of dollars on racing wheels, lightweight wheel covers are the most common aero wheel treatment.
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