Bike Forums - nipple failure and how to prevent

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Yes, the spoke length is Kosher. You apply the oil or grease to where the nipple exits the rim, not to where the spoke exit's the nipple. Ie. outside the nipple, inside the rim hole.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsbrantjr (Post 17729312)

Make sure that the spokes are long enough and then redo the wheel with brass nipples. If the spokes do not reach the bottom of the driver slot they are too short and you are risking nipple failure down the road.

That is not as important as you seem to think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FBinNY (Post 17729967)

.. apply the oil or grease to where the nipple exits the rim, not to where the spoke exit's the nipple. Ie. outside the nipple, inside the rim hole.

ADDENDUM:

I set out to do exactly this. My eyes are such that I need a good set of reading glasses in a well lit area to do close up work. So I got my glasses, and with plenty of light I examined the rims, getting ready to treat the nipples. It was only then that I saw what appears to be a oily/greasy substance on the rim surrounding each nipple. I couldn't have seen that without a real good look.

I'll treat the nipples after a couple of thousand miles, or less if I get caught in the rain. It seems these wheels were designed and built with more integrity than many of us, including myself, might have thought. I'm feeling a bit better about this wheel set right now.