Originally Posted by
FBinNY
I also generally go longer. But if the OP is using spokes and nipples that run out of thread and don't allow the spokes to extend above the nipple he has little upside room, and needs to be careful not to go long.
This is mainly about the spokes. If the spoke has (say) 9 mm of thread and it is thicker past the end of the thread than in the threaded part, it will not screw into the nipple beyond these 9 mm. Though I suppose there may be pathologically designed nipples that achieve the same effect. I have three different kinds of spokes here (one that I got online and two others from two unrelated wheels that I took apart) and all three are like that.