Straight-pull spokes - worth it? Straight-pull spokes have been around for awhile on MTB wheels, but mainly just on very expensive wheelsets (Mavic Deemax for example).  Recently the better wheel component manufacturers have been getting in on this by selling straight-pull spokes and compatible hubs individually, and they are generally considerably more expensive than the 'normal' variety.

However in my many years of snapping spokes they have never snapped at the elbow (the 'weak' point straight-pulls are supposed to address), they always break in the centre - presumably because the double-butting process has moved the weak point there.

So my question is this: Are straight-pull spokes worth it, or are they another expensive marketing gimick to solve a problem that doesn't exist?
Yes, straight pull spokes are technically superior to traditional J-bend spokes.  The only reason that J-bend spokes are relatively more popular is because it's cheaper to machine a hub with simple flanges on a lathe.  Well-designed straightpull hubs typically cost more.

Note that a straight-pull spoke in generally can and should be tensioned higher than the equivalent J-bend spoke.  As always, build quality is key, and the average bike shop won't necessarily have the experience to do it well.  Nevertheless, in comparison to a J-bend, a straight pull spoke properly assembled onto a properly designed hub will:


Not fatigue as fast -- especially if a J-bend is not kept adequately tensioned. in other words, a straightpull spoke will not relax as quickly.  
Eliminate spoke rubbing typical in most traditionally laced wheels.  
be stiffer radially AND laterally than most traditional lacing for the same spoke gauge (though it is hard to do a direct comparison because hub and rim geometry varies widely)
Be lighter for the equivalent capability -- or, more importantly, will have less inertia due to the ability to use fewer spokes and/or narrower gauge butted spokes with no loss in stiffness &amp; strength
Will last longer -- the J-bend spoke beds in, then frets and ovalizes the spoke hole, losing tension as the wheel wears in, as well as wearing out the hub.  In a straightpull spoke, there is much less motion &amp; wear at the hub and nipple.


Bottom line: straight pull spokes, properly designed and built, will be lighter, stiffer, and require less truing than a conventional wheelset with the same number of spokes.

What are the advantages of J-bend spokes?  Price and parts availability.