3rded

In New England, I've seen alloy nipples on new wheels disintegrating as soon as 3-5 years from new. When I build wheels for people, I very strongly recommend brass nipples unless they are looking for ultimate lightweight build or something and if a customer does specifically request alloy nipples for their everyday use wheels, I will let them know that they will be looking at a rebuild a few years down the road.

Not a fan of Mavic system wheels because it is all aluminum -- rims, the proprietary nipples used, and even spokes. Seen way too many of them with corrosion frozen nipples, and generally angered owners who expected more life out of them...