Standard spokes from the factory are normally zinc-plated. Chroming is not recommended since it causes the spokes to become brittle. Stainless spokes will hold up somewhat longer than zinc-plated, but they can also rust. If you keep your bike dry, zinc will last a long time. If it is going to get wet occasionally or if you live in a humid environment, go with stainless for both spokes and nipples. You can have your old spokes replated (zinc) for less than half the cost of a new set of zinc-plated or less than 1/4 the cost of a set of stainless. By the way, standard nipples were usually nickel-plated brass. Stainless nipples need to be well-lubed during installation. Buchanan's Spoke & Rim (
http://www.buchananspokes.com) can fix you up with new sets of both types. --Randall
