Originally Posted by
yellowjeep
I was all excited to finally get my wheel built. I got a killer deal on double butted DT spokes. I got the wheel lace and for the first time I got the logo on the hub to line up perfectly with the valve hole. Then I set to bring the wheel up to tension. Ok so far so good. When I got it tensioned the dish was fairly far off and it was pretty out of true. Nothing I haven't dealt with before. Then I rounded off 3 nipple and trying to get the nipple out with a screw driver just stripped out the top of the nipple. GREAT. Now I have to go get three more spokes cut because I cant get the stupid nipples off. I just had to rant because it really is a let down. Stupid alloy nipples.
I don't use alloy nipples, BUT, it sounds like you brought the tension up too fast. When I build with new stuff, I'm careful to treat every spoke the same as I assemble and tighten; should come out fairly true. Then, once in the stand, get the major side to side wobbles out. Then get it round. Then get it centered or dished. Then start bringing up the tension (which might mean be going around the entire wheel a few times with a half a turn on every spoke) and fine tuning the side to side. Don't forget to seat the spokes at the hub (press the spoke against the flange opposite the head) and occasionally take the wheel out, rest it vertically on the ground and lean your weight on the top of the rim to release spoke windup). Its a process, shouldn't be up to tension until you're finished.