Broken Spoke Nipples
04-09-11, 04:39 PM
#26
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On most standard nipples the round bulge starting at the top of the head does not end at the flat - rather it continues wrapping downward for another millimeter AND then it cuts off into the angled cone that seats in the rim seat.
Pick up a basic 10mm or 12mm nipple and you'll see what I'm referring to.
=8-)
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Disclaimer:
1. I do not claim to be an expert in bicycle mechanics despite my experience.
2. I like anyone will comment in other areas.
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5000+ wheels built since 1984...
Disclaimer:
1. I do not claim to be an expert in bicycle mechanics despite my experience.
2. I like anyone will comment in other areas.
3. I do not own the preexisting concepts of DISH and ERD.
4. I will provide information as I always have to others that I believe will help them protect themselves from unscrupulous mechanics.
5. My all time favorite book is:
Kahane, Howard. Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life
04-09-11, 04:52 PM
#27
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I guess I learned wheelbuilding in a less forgiving era. Back then spokes had 10mm of thread, sometimes more depending on brand. We used 2 basic lengths of nipple, 3/8" or 10mm short nipples, and 5/8". But both had the same amount of thread, usually about 6-8mm, so the spoke could run 2-4mm beyond the top. The longer nipples were really a carryover of wooden rims where they needed the extra length to reach through.
Back then I only used long nipples for wood insert rims like Weinmann Weltmeisters, and some later rims with a solid plastic core. The system was good training because the 10mm spoke thread meant that if you used short spokes, the thread would show out the bottom, flagging you as a hack.
When I worked for a production builder for a while, he would always use long spokes because the machines would often start the first spoke a bit tight which rotated the hub and caused a long/short/long/short pattern. We'd try to prevent that by hand tightening 4 spokes around the rim to a matched length, but there would still be some error. The long nipple hid that much better than the short ones.
These days, I have good carryover stock of stuff that works the way I want it to, like 12mm nipples with 7-8mm of thread, so my 10mm thread spokes have decent amount of room long.
I assume that the shorter thread length on spokes is to accommodate production builders, mainly the bike companies who don't want any thread showing.
Back then I only used long nipples for wood insert rims like Weinmann Weltmeisters, and some later rims with a solid plastic core. The system was good training because the 10mm spoke thread meant that if you used short spokes, the thread would show out the bottom, flagging you as a hack.
When I worked for a production builder for a while, he would always use long spokes because the machines would often start the first spoke a bit tight which rotated the hub and caused a long/short/long/short pattern. We'd try to prevent that by hand tightening 4 spokes around the rim to a matched length, but there would still be some error. The long nipple hid that much better than the short ones.
These days, I have good carryover stock of stuff that works the way I want it to, like 12mm nipples with 7-8mm of thread, so my 10mm thread spokes have decent amount of room long.
I assume that the shorter thread length on spokes is to accommodate production builders, mainly the bike companies who don't want any thread showing.
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Last edited by FBinNY; 04-09-11 at 05:03 PM.
04-09-11, 06:36 PM
#28
Senior Member
Yes, this might explain why they built it this way, but in no way excuses it. It becomes a question of integrity. Some people may send out poor product out of ignorance, not know there was a problem. Or, and worse in my opinion, because they simply don't care.
There's no way a builder doesn't notice the spokes are too short. So either he really doesn't know what he's doing, or totally lacks personal integrity. Either disqualifies him as a vendor as far as I'm concerned.
There's no way a builder doesn't notice the spokes are too short. So either he really doesn't know what he's doing, or totally lacks personal integrity. Either disqualifies him as a vendor as far as I'm concerned.
