Daytrip

I'm a little confused about spoke nipple specs. What's the relationship between gauge and nipple size? I'm trying to find some replacement nipples that take a 3.22 mm spoke wrench. The nipples I've seen advertised describe the product in terms of gauge (15) and length (1/2").

If the replacement nipples take the same size wrench and are the same length and material (brass), does that mean they will work?

rydaddy

You want to match nipple gauge with spoke gauge. If you have butted spokes, say 14/15/14, then you would want a 14 gauge nipple. 12mm is the standard length.

Daytrip

The label on the rim giving the spoke lengths has the following line at the bottom:

6061 T-6 622-14

Is it safe to assume that we're talking about 14-gauge spokes, then?

These are paired spokes (Xero XRS-3)

Retro Grouch 

I think that you're confusing spoke size, nipple size, and spoke wrench size.

15 gauge spokes are 1.8mm diameter. It's important to find the correct 15 gauge nipples because 14 gauge nipples look exactly the same and will thread onto the spoke. The only problem is they won't hold.

Spoke wrench size isn't really related. Different nipple manufacturers require different spoke wrench sizes. I don't know the exact sizes but I do know that Japanese nipples take a red Park spoke wrench and DT and Wheelsmith nippes take a black one.

Germany_chris

(Call Xero or the LBS)

rydaddy

The rim label has nothing to do with the spoke lengths (that is the material/diameter of the rim). It's likely 14 gauge (or 2.0mm) but I would make sure of it. Easiest thing to do is measure the spoke (near the thread) with a caliper.

Why are you replacing the nipples anyway?

Daytrip

Well, obviously, the reason I don't want to go back to the LBS is that I rounded off a few nipples truing the wheel and I'd rather not suffer the humiliation. If you know what I mean.

BTW, I did manage to get the wheel true, so it's nothing urgent, but at some point, I'll need to replace the rounded nipples. Hopefully not for another 3,500 miles.

There are many ways to learn about bike maintenance, but this is typically my approach. I like to work on my bike and I like to know what I'm doing (eventually).

I did email Xero and am waiting on a response. If I get nothing, I'll try Giant.

HillRider

If you can borrow a micrometer or good quality caliper, measure the spoke diameter. If they are plain gauge you can measure anywhere along their length. If they are butted, measure near the nipple.

A 14-gauge (2 mm) spoke will mike 0.0787". If they are 15 gauge (1.8 mm) they will mike 0.0709". My money would be on 14-gauge.

And, yes, the rim label tells you nothing about the spoke gauge or length.

Daytrip

Actually, this label does list the spoke lengths, in mm. I just didn't include it in my post.

HillRider

Interesting, I've never seen one that does. I assume it knows what hub was used also.

Daytrip

It may. I don't.

HillRider

Amazing. As I said, I've never seen a wheel label of any type that gave that much information.

Following up a bit on what was said above, spoke wrenches come in several different sizes but a given maker's spokes all use the same nipple wrench despite the spoke gauge. DT/Wheelsmith spokes all require a 3.23 mm (Park SW-0, black handle) nipple wrench whether the actual spokes are 14-ga, 15- ga or various butted configurations. Older Japanese spokes used a 3.30 mm (Park SW-2, red handle) nipple wrench for all spoke gauges.

The best thing to do is get a set of SW-0, SW-1 (green) and SW-2 spoke wrenches and use the smallest one that you can fit onto the nipples or buy an adjustable nipple wrench and get it good and tight.

Daytrip

Thanks. I've got the Park 3-way wrench and the SW-0 size fits the nipples on my road bike. Wish I'd waited until it arrived before tackling the wheel. I have an old adjustable spoke wrench from the '60s that I got from my dad, but obviously it didn't work right, or more likely--I used it wrong.

Daytrip

OK, I found out that my spokes are 14 gauge. When I replace the nipples, is it best to do them one at a time, and true the wheel each time, or just replace them all and start from scratch? We're talking maybe 3 or 4 nipples on the rear wheel--all on the drive side, of course.

vredstein

One at a time. You want to avoid throwing the wheel way out of true. You're less likely to do with by replacing them one at a time, especially since they're the drive size spokes which are under more tension than the NDS spokes. Take your time, no hurry.

operator

That line has nothing to do with spoke lengths.

No spoke lengths are ever written on the rim. 6061 T-6 is Aluminum, 622-14 is ERD followed by some sort of rim width number.

Daytrip

Never say never.

zacster

that's the wheel manufacturer's sticker, not the rim's. The rim manufacturer does not know the hub that will ultimately be used, so they can't tell you what spoke length to use.