I have a wheelset of shimano xt m730 hubs from a 1991 to 1993 Gary fisher CR-7 evolution. I believe the spokes are double butted and were laced to an Araya RM-17 rim.

Which spoke nipple thread should I be looking to purchase? I am doing a swap to a pair of sunrims rhyno lite 32 hole. I did this already with an identical set with a gouge in a rim but this set of nipples is quite a bit rougher and I would like to replace them. I'm sure the rim choice etc is not important but I figure you can glaze over and let me know the standard spoke threading for an early 90s Japanese wheel.

the brass ones that you get with the spokes.

As fiestsbob alluded to - the 12mm brass nipples typically included with DT, Sapim, Wheelsmith, CN and Pillar spokes.

=8-)

"let me know the standard spoke threading for an early 90s Japanese wheel"
Standard spokes/nipples have a #2-56 thread. As suggested above stick with brass nipples.

The OP wanted to know what size nipples to use for a replacement!

Just get nipples for 14 gauge spokes.
A 14G spoke should have a 2mm diameter or about .079".
It's unlikely the threaded ends are anything other than 14G. Possible, but unlikely.

Although it's 56 TPI, I doubt it's a 2-56 thread, whose major thread diameters vary between .813 to .854.

This is the USA and almost worldwide standard for W&M 14g, 0.080", or 2mm (all the same) so that's what you'll get if you buy any 14g nipples. There are other threads, but they're mostly obsolete so there's no need to consider them unless dealing with a vintage bicycle, not from the US or UK.

15g spokes use a special thread with the same pitch, but with a smaller diameter. There's never a danger of using 15g nipples on a 14g spoke since it simply won't fit. OTOH it's possible to be fooled and use 14g nipples on a 15g spoke. The nipple fits and seems to thread on normally, then surprise you by slipping back as you approach tension.

As for thread quality, all the nipples I've worked with over the last 20-30 years have formed threads which are very smooth, and I doubt you'll find variation in thread quality changing the nipples unless there's corrosion.

The other consideration is length. Nipples come in various lengths and more important various thread lengths. If the thread length is too great, the nipple can jam when threaded on too far. Some nipple/spoke thread length combinations will jam well before the spoke reaches the head. If you're finding rough threads it might be that you've run out of thread.

Hi. Thanks for taking the time to sort through my somewhat confusing post.

I'm looking to buy new spoke nipples to replace the current oxidized ones on the wheel. Spokes are in great condition but the nipples are so-so and if I am swapping the rim I may as well get nice, new shiny ones with good or better gripping power.

What I take from this is it is almost for sure brass 14g with a length of 12mm and diameter of 2mm.

Before taking it apart note the height of the spoke with respect to the top of the nipple. There may be some variation, so find the higher ones.

Then when you have the new nipples test on a spoke and make sure they'll thread down until the spoke is higher in/over the head by 1-2mm than before (allows for a margin of error).

Of course this assumes that the new rim's ERD is the same as the original, or at close enough to work with.

Thanks for your replies.

The next question is...

Is there a significant difference in quality vs. something like this:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/150-spoke-bra...item27db943f4c

and a branded DT, Newsonsportec (actually same seller has the same lot labelled as Newsonsportec on american eBay, Sapim Polyax spoke nipple?

IF you're just doing 1 wheels' worth, support your LBS and you have them now.
$.10-20/nipple depending on your smile and their mood.
Why wait for a slow boat from Taiwan?

Probably not a great quality difference. At least to where it would make a difference. BUT thread length could be a serious problem. As I said earlier thread length varies, and some combinations restrict how far down a nipple can thread. Buying in bulk from overseas means you won't have a chance to see how these nipples wok on your spokes until it's too late.

As others have noted thread doesn't vary although the dimensions across flats do.

If you have wheels in one size you might want to stick with it for convenience. DT/Wheelsmith are .127" taking the black Park wrench and a lot of Asian nipples are .136" taking the red Park wrench.

I keep a black Park wrench in my small saddle wedge pack to straighten things out when I bend a rim a little.