Bicycle Mechanics - Steel nipples to Brass nipples... Why?

Hello, I was asked today the reasons why nipples changed from steel to brass. The only reason that really came to mind was corrosion. A little bit of moisture will cause corrosion between the steel spoke and steel nipple crating problems truing that wont happen with brass.

While that seems like a good enough answer, I am assuming there are other reasons. I had some other theories/questions for the change, such as: does the lower tensile strength of brass have something to do with it (i.e. you will ruin a soft metal nipple as apposed to ripping the nipple through the rim, or spoke through the flange. Creating a safer failing point to save more expensive parts of the wheel). I also thought that it might have to do with the threads, or being able to hold a higher tension? I also read somewhere about the number of times you can true a wheel with steel spokes as apposed to brass.

If anyone knows why the change happened I would love to know why, and Im sure some other people would love to know too!

Hummm... I thought they changed from brass to aluminum because they are lighter and just as strong.

Aluminum nipples are not as strong as brass. Aluminum nipples are more prone to rounding off and spliting though they have improved over the years. Quality professional wheelbuilders will not furnish a guarantee on a wheel they buiild when built with aluminum whereas they will with brass. Not only are brass nipples stronger but they are less prone to corrosion. Using steel nipples, if you can even find them, is better then using the strongest locktite and you likely only get one chance at truing before they corrode and become permanently fixed in place.

It's to give you more excuses to say "nipples".

Stainless steel spokes may have something to do with it, as stainless is quite prone to galling. Stainless nipples would be horrible in this regard. Old zinc or nickle plated steel spokes would not have this issue.

I recently read that brass is naturally good because it has friction properties that make easy adjustment possible without lubrication. This amongst the excellent properties listed by other posters.

I've never seen anything but brass/aluminum nipples.

Well, first of all the current designs don't need the strength of steel, so it'd make sense from a production standpoint to look for another material that's still strong enough but easier to machine -and brass would fit that bill perfectly. Next would be the various corrosion issues - where brass once again would come out ahead of the pack.

In my experience, I've never seen steel nipples. I started working in bike shops in 1970. Have there ever been steel nipples? Maybe, I've just never seen them.

Aluminum nipples are not as strong as brass. Aluminum nipples are more prone to rounding off and spliting though they have improved over the years.

If you're having problems rounding off nipples it's because you have the wrong wrench.

I thought I had read somewhere that its due to the like metals eventually sort of bonding together under the pressure and they actually start to weld themselves together therefore they use a different metal to avoid this and brass was the best choice due to some of the previously stated reasoning.

That's the opposite of what happens.

When two materials are different and between them is an electrolyte of some sort (like, say, water with salts dissolved in it), they have different electrical potential and react with each other. It's called galvanic reaction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_series). However, since there's stuff between the nipple and spoke (grease, oil, a polymer like Locktite or boiled linseed oil), they're out of contact and there's no room for the electrolytic solution.

if they made titanium nips more affordable and available---I would use them over my stainless or
chrome plated ones--- in my efforts with vintage re-builds-- no brass, no alum.

That's the opposite of what happens.He's talking about galling not galvanic corrosion.

In my experience, I've never seen steel nipples. I started working in bike shops in 1970. Have there ever been steel nipples? Maybe, I've just never seen them.

OK- you've got a couple years on me. I started working on bikes professionally in 1979. I've never seen steel nipples also. Plated brass and aluminum is it.

If you're having problems rounding off nipples it's because you have the wrong wrench.

another great comment from the peanut gallery. wrong wrench, or maybe, just maybe, the aluminum nipples are actually softer, and they deteriorate faster than brass. 90% of the bontrager race lite wheels that I true are equipped with aluminum nips and 100% of those are always corroded and either already rounded off or they disintegrate under the slightest pressure, even with the correct wrench.

I have always wondered about brass nipples in contact with aluminum rims. Brass slowly eats aluminum, in a galvanic reaction. Sailboat owners often run afoul of this. bk

+1 re: Bontrager Racelites - a fast wheel but the alloy nipples are a pain unless you replace them with plated brass ones.

i can't believe some magazine mechanics still bother to post that alu. nipples are not as "strong" and "round out" too easily when compared to brass.

brass WILL seize to a spoke or round if the proper nipple wrench is not used.

people like to hang on to bicycle myths cause it makes them look like they've got the experience of ages. these people would serve the community better if they took up a job setting pins in a bowling alley.

if you've worked in a shop longer than 10 years you've seen brass nipples fail AND seize to spokes. they are not somehow tremendously better than alu.

if you've worked in a shop longer than 10 years and have not seen this, but still believe that it does not happen, please consider proselytizing for some militant christian group.

For the record, I've never seen anything bad happen to a nipple that wasn't either my fault or the result of neglect and/or abuse. Most nipples I've come across are brass, but it seems like aluminum has the same record for me.

I don't have a whole pile of experience, mind you; only been building bikes seriously for a year or so, and I've only built a few wheels, but that's my experience.

That said, -=8=-, you're kind of being a jerk about it.

..maybe, just maybe, the aluminum nipples are actually softer...

Aluminum nipples ARE softer, however how much of an issue this really is is somewhat debateable. With the right tool and a somewhat conservative build it isn't much of an obstacle.

Aluminum nipples are a complete waste of time. They're more fragile, easier to round off at higher torque seizes with AL rims - all that for a miniscule decrease in weight. They also have a propensity to crack and break. Harder to build with, harder to maintain and doesn't last as long.

^^^ +1. Aluminum nipples are silly. Only for weight weenies or the vain- what good are they, REALLY? Absolutely no real advantage over plated brass.

With alloy nipples , you can get cool anodized colours to accessorize your bike! :)