Originally Posted by
inkandsilver
Update:
Finally was able to get to the LBS and bring this wheel in. Neither owner was there but was helped by the nice kid at the front.
"I've had a wheel like that, it shouldn't be too big of a deal... [looks at it] Oh, that's like five threads showing on that one. That doesn't seem right. Hmmm. Let me see what our tech says."
He brought it to the back and talked to one of their mechanics. Came out and said it's up to me, whatever I want them to do. That the tech said the simplest thing would be to just replace the nipples with longer ones... but that they would rebuild it with new spokes if I want them to.
So they are going to rebuild it. He was very nice about it. I'll post again if there are any other interesting developments. Many thanks to all for the help you provided.
Did they offer to only replace the nipples on the spokes where the threads show? Hahahahh... that would have been a ghetto-looking wheel! Seriously though, "whatever you want us to do" is a bit weasel-style, "we could simply replace the nipples and call it a wheel,
it's up to you". I wonder if they even realized that what they proposed is not a solution at all. If they didn't, there is lack of competence. If they did, there's lack of honesty. Either way, you should take your business elsewhere.
Originally Posted by
mrrabbit
The fact that they would consider replacing with longer nipples is not good:
1. Nipples are not spokes, and aren't intended to act as such.
2. Too short spokes = eventually nipple barrel and nipple head separation.
They should know better. Clearly they build wheels by habit and by winging it - not by any understanding of even the most basic wheel building science.
+1
EDIT: the very fact that they gave you that wheel to bring home tells me they're dishonest, and you should just get your money back and have nothing to do with them anymore. Of course, you won't do this.