Calling All Rim Swappers, Spoke and Nipple Re-users and Cheapskates
 

I've re-used plenty of spokes and nipples without issues but always DT spokes and nipples and usually my builds and known histories. BUT I'm having trouble today. The spokes are Wheelsmith straight guage (black) from a 9 speed 105/CXP-21 wheelset. I'm moving these spokes and rims to a 6207 FW hub. While bringing it to tension, one nipple let's go. I tried another nipple and got the same result. The nipples are brass DT and while used are in good shape. Next, I try a brand new unused DT nipple and it also lets go. Lastly, I use one of the alloy nipples from the original 9 speed wheel and it o
hilds fine but another brass DT lets go.

Are these Wheelsmith spoke threads different? Do I need to get Wheelsmith nipples?

Are you sure the spokes are 2.0mm, and not 1.8mm?

Calling All Rim Swappers, Spoke and Nipple Re-users and Cheapskates



:D
i resemble that description


if the original nipples work for those spokes then yeah, those other nipples must be different thread


i suppose it's like anything, even with bicycle spokes and nipples, it isn't standardized

I think so. However, they'll feel loose and wiggly.

I once built a wheel years ago with a pile of used spokes and nipples of different sizes... what a mess. :eek:

Your old nipples probably won't thread very far onto other spokes.

You may be able to compare threads between WM spokes, and other spokes you may have by laying them next to each other, perhaps under a magnifying glass.

I think the price of butted spokes has fallen over the years, so 1.8mm straight gauge spokes have fallen out of favor in recent years, except for cut single butted spokes.