Originally Posted by
FBinNY
You want a fairly stiff grease or anti-seize compound for spokes. It does three jobs. It lubes when turning nipples to reduce spoke twist, it weatherseals to prevent corrosion, so your wheel will still be serviceable 2 years from now, and it's sticky enough to provide traction so nipples don't loosen if slack, which they shouldn't ever be anyway.
Seems like the first 2 are the more important parts, right? The third is convenient, but not required? I'm a little more than upset at the LBS right now.
I almost want to get new spokes and nipples, but I think i'm ok just reusing the spokes and replacing the broken ones (if all this stress leads to some breaking) later on as I go.