bccycleguy

I planning to build a new wheel and will probably use many of the old spokes (DT double-butted 14-15-14) but will replace the nipples. Which is better? Alloy (aluminum) or brass (chrome plated?), and what, if any, difference does the length make. I guess that a longer one gives you a bit more to grab onto.

Do you have a preference and why?

genericbikedude

I like all sorts of nipples. Long nipples will tend to poke out more, which is good for certain types of applications. Certainly more visible. Short nipples are better in most cases, depending on how far you need them to poke out to give you something to work with.

jamiewilson3

Always partial to Pam Anderson.

Sorry.....I saw the thread name and could resist.

genericbikedude

Be sure to lubricate them before you start working with them.

sngltrackdufus

Alloy will give lighter weight but in my opinion brass will give better long term durability.

gmoneyhobbit

what are we looking at in weight difference?

sngltrackdufus

Oh, i would say a difference within of about a stone.

bccycleguy

My sense is that alloy nipples round off easier than brass ones, although some times it's hard to tell if maybe the rim hole is bit rougher and a nipple gets rounded because it takes more force to turn the nipple, or maybe it's just being in a hurry and not seating the key properly.

sngltrackdufus

Nipples!!!

ken cummings

Ones that match the thread pitch and diameter of the spokes you are using as well as fit the holes in the rims. As I ride near the coast at times I need materials that are compatible with the spokes and rims to reduce corrosion.

erader

brass nipples are stronger, resist rounding off better and also resist seizing. alloy nipples are lighter in a critical area but the the minor weight savings isn't worth it to me.

i rode alloy nipples briefly and popped one on a front wheel on a steep, bumpy descent and would never use them again. and that's the only time i ever broke a nipple or spoke.

erader

operator

If you're building a new wheel, why use old spokes?

AnthonyG

According to DT Swiss, https://www.dtswiss.com/index.asp?fus...n=nipples.bike

a set(64) of brass nipples is about 70 grams and an equivelent set of aluminium nipples is about 20 grams. Thats only a saving of 25 grams per wheel. Brass nipples are reliable where as aluminium nipples are known to fail. Easton who use aluminium nipples in their wheels to save weight will still use brass nipples for the rear drive side.

Regards, Anthony

duckliondog

I can't believe nobody's gotten the answer right yet! COLORED nipples are the best! I have gold ones on red rims, thanks to Mike Garcia!

bccycleguy

It's a 20-spoke radial lace on a front wheel, no problem with the spokes. Also, none of the 3 local bike shops have the right spokes in stock.

TallRider

Why are you replacing the nipples? If they're brass and not stripped, you may as well reuse them, especially since you're reusing the spokes. Aluminum saves you a small amount of rotating weight, but as noted is much less likely to strip out.

If you get new niples, of course you'll need to get 14g nipples (b/c that's what your spokes are at the ends where the threads are).

If you're reusing the same spokes, it's best to keep the spokes in the same position on the hub. Easiest way to do this is tape the new rim to the old, valve-stem holes lined up, and just move the spokes from the old rim to the new.

bccycleguy

Some of the nipples are already stripped or at least rounded out a bit, and some don't even match as they were part of a "budget build" I did some time ago.

TallRider

Okay, makes sense. As long as you're confident the spokes don't have undue wear, you're good then.
Where brass nipples are concerned, it's a tossup between DT and Wheelsmith. I suspect there are some other makers of fine brass nipples as well.

bellweatherman

HA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

I can't help it. The title of this thread is f-ing awesome! Ok, continue.

JohnBoy

Thanks for the pic and clearing that up for me.... i was trying to get a visual of a bike part in my mind but it wasnt happening.... Damn Pam and her nipples

thekorn

I am building a wheel right now and discussed this with the local wheel building guru- he no longer builds with aluminum alloy nipples. Too many problems with them. Brass is probably the way to go.

djbowen1

Jennifer Aniston for sure, those puppies rock!

Al1943

You can round off any nipple if you've got a loose fitting wrench. After getting a good wrench I've had no more problems. Aluminum alloy nipples are all I've ever used, usually black. It's the wrench that makes the difference.

Al

bccycleguy

What wrench do you use?

Svr

Spokey is my favorite.

It's a good idea to add one or two millimeters to the spoke length when building with alloy nipples. The extra spoke length helps reinforce the nipple flange and keeps it from breaking. I picked up this tip at a DT sponsored wheel building clinic at interbike nearly twelve years ago.

I've also got a set of mountain wheels I built in 1995 with alloy nipples using the above tip, and they're still going strong to this day.