Bicycle Mechanics - short spokes

I'm trying to be frugal, and use some spokes I have lying around to build a new front wheel.

The spokes I have are 271mm. The ones that Spocalc specs should be 273.4. Can I make up that difference with longer nipples?

Seeing how spokes come in 2mm increments, I think I know the answer to my question; however I'm just wondering there is a workable solution.

Thanks in advance!

You want shorter spokes than what most calculators will give you - which is the actual travel. The 271's might well work fine.

I'm trying to be frugal, and use some spokes I have lying around to build a new front wheel.

The spokes I have are 271mm. The ones that Spocalc specs should be 273.4. Can I make up that difference with longer nipples?

Seeing how spokes come in 2mm increments, I think I know the answer to my question; however I'm just wondering there is a workable solution.

Thanks in advance!

It should work, but I'd worry if there are any threads showing above the nipple once the wheel is tensioned. This'd indicate that only a couple threads are engaged in the nipple- a recipe for spoke or nipple fatigue.

"Nipple fatigue"... geez, I'm going to get banned for sure.

Dude, if you're being that frugal, try seeing if there's a bike collective / friendly LBS near you that will let you trade spokes for a longer length, or give you a discount.

There are parts of your bike you can jury-rig/cheap out on, but spokes probably shouldn't be one of them.

Match your previous measurements up with this calculator:

http://vocabforbreakfast.railsplayground.net/edd/

a few more threads.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/Wheels/SpokesandNipples.jpg

It will probably work. As long as you have unlimited time, you can try it and rebuild if it doesn't.

[QUOTE=Soil_Sampler;8352801]a few more threads.QUOTE]

Sorry it took me so long to post back. I really appreciate all the responses.

Soil sampler. It looks like that 16mm nipple will solve my problem, unless I'm not interpreting the photo correctly.

BTW, it's not so much that I'm too cheap to get new spokes, it's just that if I want to build with a Velocity Deep V, the 271's will be too short. If I go with a Kinlin XR-300, they will work perfectly.

I've never had a problem with the Kinlins stucturally (as in weakness/failure), but my current front rim has a slight bulge at the valve stem hole, creating a grabby braking situation. So, I'd prefer to stick to the Deep V's for the superior (IMHO) build quality.

Again, thanks for the responses.

It will be fine if your sure about the needed length. Even if a few threads show the wheel will work.