Originally Posted by
davidad
He began breaking NDS nipples so I added tension to the drive side to be able to get decent tension on the NDS. That solved the problem.
He is a big man (over 220) and strong as an ox so he needs a strong wheel.
This is a case of either raising the bridge or lowering the water.
The irony of left spoke breakage is that
they're too strong for the job. And the secret to solving the problem is to use lighter (weaker) spokes on the left. This allows them to stay within the working spring range without needing to crank up the tension on both sides. (no need to weaken right side spokes, they're strong/weak enough already)
I've been building that way for decades, and building durable wheels for people with breakage issues by building
weaker wheels. I've been on the soapbox preaching less is more here on BF for almost 5 years. Over that time a number of people here have followed the advice with good success.
Of course that isn't the ONLY way. You could raise the overall tension if the rim can handle it, or use fewer spokes on the NDS, or use offset rims, or use hubs with flange asymmetry. Of course you could combine some methods to advantage. But thinner spokes on the left is an option open to anybody without having to buy anything else.
Another advantage of the less is more approach is that you not only get a tougher wheel, you get a lighter wheel, and who's going to complain about that.