Originally Posted by
GravelMN
Thank you for your input, but there are also pros that use anti-seize, bees wax or some form of spoke prep, and all have their reasons. I'm looking for a comparison of the various spoke preps and their effectiveness in preventing detensioning of relatively low tension NDS spokes. Have you used anything other than linseed oil and how did they compare?
I also noted that DT Swiss makes nipples with a pre-applied spoke prep that supposedly allows for several truing/tensionings before losing effectiveness.
As I mentioned, I have used nothing but anti-seize in the past and have had no problems, but this one wheel has developed an issue, so any insights on why this wheel is different and developed a problem in its third season of use would be welcome.
Many people swear by different things. You only need to start discussing chain lubes, and see how many people use a lube that is not suited for their weather, or road conditions (dirt/grime) to understand the value of opinions.
The benefit of linseed oil is that is not a caustic manufactured chemical (keep cycling green, or greener). It also allows an almost ideal hold preventing nipples from turning, while allowing repeated truings/tensionings.
However, a properly built wheel doesn't require repeated truings/tensionings. I'm wondering if you've actually ever built a wheel before? Its a great aspect of wrenching on bikes. An art as much as a science. There is a huge difference between someone like Peter White or the folks at Velocity, or Wheelbuilder.com and everyone else. Every shop used to claim they had a Master Wheelbuilder, or a wrench that is their custom wheel builder. In reality most of those hacks couldn't build a proper outlier wheel if you offered them $1000. By this I mean a tandem wheel set for a 625lb Clydesdale team (ex NFL player and stoker partner), or an ultra lightweight racing wheel set that is as light as can possibly be built but will "stand" for a racing season for a UCI Div I roadie that is a 5'4" climbing specialist, trying to punch their ticket into the European peloton. Anyone can build a wheel for a 170lb average cyclist. Like frame builders, most "MASTER" builders just aren't.
I like Linseed oil. I know many wheel builders that do as well. YMMV.