darren murray

Has anyone had the below problem as I have searched the internet and could not find any posts?
I have a set of Campagnolo Bora One Carbon Clinchers. This is the second set I have had as the first set was replaced under warranty with the same problem of the aluminium nipples splitting. The aluminium nipples have again developed splits in them on the replacement wheels. This time wheels are about 2 yrs and 3 months old so out of warranty. Has anybody ever had this problem. Thanks. Darren

tomato coupe

I'm going to politely suggest that you will get more responses if you edit your post so that it isn't one giant paragraph.

darren murray

Noted. Much appreciated. Darren

darren murray

Thanks for your second suggestion.

darren murray

The administrator has restricted use of the private message system to members with less than 10 posts. I cannot read any private messages sent to me.

tgenec86

Can't speak to the wheelset specifically - but aluminum nipples are notorious for corrosion and stress fractures. Their cachet is light weight, but the trade off is extremely short lifespan. In my opinion, any bike with steel spokes should have brass nipples. Period. Even though Campagnolo has a reputation for quality, nothing changes the material properties of aluminum. It's garbage material for spoke nipples. If you have the experience, or know a good wheel builder, change them out.

The only aluminum nipples that I've never had break are Mavic Ksyrium SL's - but even with those, once the wheels get old enough they corrode and won't turn any longer, making truing adjustments a nightmare. Penetrating fluid, heat, and patience are the only solution at that point.

Drew Eckhardt 

I've never had problems with alloy nipples when I properly lubricated my spoke threads and nipple sockets with grease or zinc anti-seize, even after 8 Colorado winters plus some Bay Area showers.

OTOH, I wouldn't risk alloy nipples on a machine built wheel.

Koyote

OP, I suggest you take these wheels to a good shop and have the alloy nipples replaced with brass nipples. You’ll basically be paying for a wheel build, which should be about $100, and the nipples will cost almost nothing.

Your wheels will end up being one or two ounces heavier, which will probably not keep you off of any podiums.

darren murray

Thanks for your reply much appreciated.

darren murray

Thanks for your reply.

darren murray

I actually did this and took my wheels to my local bike shop. I was informed the Campagnolo Bora One carbon wheels are very specific and you cannot buy after market nipples and spokes. I was informed by my local bike shop they can only source original campagnolo nipples and spokes. I was also told campagnolo do not do brass nipples for these wheels.

I am only going off the information of my bike shop so I assume they know what they are talking about as I am no expert hence me posting on the forum? Anyway it appears the spokes on my wheels are also seized onto the nipples and my bike shop broke 3 of them trying to get the nipples off.

End of story is a quote for $1000 Australian Dollars to replace nipples and spokes with the exact same ones that split. Suffice to say I am not paying $1000 to repair the wheels when my bike shop indicates the same thing will probably happen again.

jgwilliams

That does seem a lot of money. You haven't mentioned exactly where in Australia you are but I know from my sister that humidity in some parts there can be extremely high so I'm guessing that's likely what your problem is. Whatever you replace the Bora's with I would give them regular inspections and apply grease when necessary.

DaveSSS 

Penetrating oil may be an appropriate precautionary measure.

jgwilliams

What he said. I remember when I was young penetrating oil was graphite based and truly horrible stuff to use. I bought some WD-40 branded penetrating oil just recently and it's nothing like what we had back then. Much more pleasant to work with and it won't leave black marks everywhere.