You got a raise at work. You need to make a statement. Your are not a fashion plate; you sniff your shirts to figure out if you can get another work day out of them. Your parents didn't give you a poetic name. You are not one to dangle a new good luck talisman from your cellphone. And your bike is in a rut, so you are hell-bent on an upgrade that you are not going to see on every bike double-locked to a parking meter. Your stiff wheels and frame are loosening your fillings, but you want to look good?
The answer: Follow your rainbow, because at the end of it is a pot of gold you can spend to have us build you a wheelset that you don't see too often, titanium Marwi Ti-dyed spokes set off by alloy colored nipples for a combination of uber light and comfortably springy hoops. (Of course, you can pick simply silverish Ti-colored spokes, or a solid blue, if you never wanted to chase a rainbow or ride a unicorn.)
Ti spokes will cost between $3.50 and $4.50 each, depending on your taste. You already know that alloy nipples are good for reducing weight, and they are not meant to be serviced continually or last for years like brass nipples. You also know that pricey Ti and aero spokes offer a weight savings that is irrelevant if you ride with your fatso u lock and 5-lb key chain in your 14-pound lady- or man-purse you call a backpack. But you don't care. You've been checking out the reviews on the web. People are liking the ride these spokes provide. And you know you were not put on this earth just to spend money on consumer electronics.
