Originally Posted by
rpenmanparker
Can you build up that wheel yourself? Do you know the technique? Do you have the steel guide that has to be attached to the alloy nipples to move them into position? Suppose you break a spoke. Can you repair it yourself? A no answer to any of the above questions disqualifies that wheel for my purchase and use.
You certainly have a valid point there and that's most of the reason why not all wheel manufacturers have taken the leap of faith like Shimao, Easton, and Campy/Fulcrum did with their certified road tubeless rim designs. My Easton's actually have Sapim CX-RAY straight pull spokes and the nipples are serviceable from the outside of the rim thanks to Easton placing eyelets on the rim for the nipples to thread into so yes its serviceable. I'm not a wheel builder nor plan to be one anytime soon so the ability to "build up a wheel" or "know the technique" doesn't apply to me. I understand that that option does appeal to some and it certainly interests me but I'd rather not have to deal with it at this point in my life.
Here's a picture of the nipple/eyelet setup on the Easton Carbon Wheels.
