Bicycle Mechanics - Electrolysis on wheels?

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bkaapcke

01-01-07, 10:23 AM

I ordered some new wheels from Spin Lite in Georgia. We went through the various options and I ordered brass nipples on aluminum rims. Later on, I remembered that brass eats aluminum by means of electrolysis. It's a real problem for the sailboat crowd, and I ride to the edge of San Francisco bay, so there is some exposure to salt air. Has anyone had experience with this on bike wheels? Did I make a mistake? Your thoughts please. bk

MSL77384

01-01-07, 10:30 AM

I believe all of the brass nipples will be plated with another material (nickel?) for corrosion resistance and to prevent the problem you are concerned with.

eddy m

01-01-07, 11:08 AM

Brass is OK with aluminum, and brass nipples work fine. I have wheels that are over 20 years old that are still servicable.
There's not much brass on modern sailboats. The worst corrosion problem occus between stainless steel and aluminum.

em