Originally Posted by
joejack951
Spoke nipples are cheap (about $0.12 from a reputable online source I use). That equates to $6 for 50 which should be more than enough to fix the rear wheel. If you have the time, it could be a great learning experience and worst case you are out $6.
For an inexperienced wheel builder, your best chance at a good final product will come from completely detensioning the whole wheel and working methodically back to a tensioned and true wheel. With that in mind, now would be a good time to completely disassemble the wheel and assess the rim. If the untensioned rim is fairly flat and round, you stand a good chance at building a decent wheel with it. If you find spots where the rim is out 1/4" or more in some direction, toss it in the trash and either buy a replacement or a whole new wheel.
I pretty much agree with the above.
Your LBS will probably want $.20/nipple, but that's $7.20.
Using NEW nipples
and a bit of lube, you'll have a MUCH better feel for what you are doing.
Trying to tension corroded nipples is an exercise in futility. You can have spokes that are stripping nipples and still not have adequate tension.
Worst case, you can cannibalize the nipples for the parts bin and buy a new wheel.
As far as the dish being 1/8" off.... The bike might have came that way. I run into that a lot on the CL bikes I flip.