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What kind of nipples should I get?

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What kind of nipples should I get?

Old 12-10-20, 07:21 PM
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MyRedTrek
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What kind of nipples should I get?

Got 2mm (on the thread end) DT Swiss Alpine III spokes to go on a Sun Rhyno Lite rim with spoke eyelets. Is there a particular kind of nipple I should look for with this kind of rim?

Thanks!
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Old 12-10-20, 07:44 PM
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brass seems to be the better option.
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Old 12-10-20, 07:53 PM
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Brass. Always.
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Old 12-10-20, 07:57 PM
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Another vote for brass. I like the Sapim SecureLock nipples but the DT Swiss ProLocks would probably also work.
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Old 12-10-20, 07:58 PM
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Those spokes and that rim sounds like it should be a brass nipple build.
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Old 12-10-20, 08:10 PM
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Brass 100%
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Old 12-10-20, 08:38 PM
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Six posts so far, and nothing salty.


I'm disappointed.
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Old 12-10-20, 09:04 PM
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Alloy. BUT..... only if (1) you are sure that they were built by a quality builder and (2) you are fairly adept yourself at truing wheels and won't do anything stupid if you need to tweak them. But brass is a common sense, practical answer that you can't go wrong with.
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Old 12-10-20, 09:06 PM
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Pierced, with a modest 1 cm hoop attached. Other option is studded.
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Old 12-10-20, 09:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Koyote
Six posts so far, and nothing salty.
One of my nipples cracked due to the salty content of the sealant. Aluminium nipples corrode.

Thank you for reminding me to keep everyone abreast of the situation.
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Old 12-10-20, 11:36 PM
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Originally Posted by veganbikes
Another vote for brass. I like the Sapim SecureLock nipples but the DT Swiss ProLocks would probably also work.
Any particular reason you mention the Sapims first rather than the DT Swiss?
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Old 12-11-20, 02:10 AM
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Have you already bought the spokes? Then some 12mm brass nipples.

For an ultra-paranoid build there are Pillar DSN (double square) nipples, they require a bit longer spokes, but the threads are made so that the spoke goes further in: https://www.pillarspoke.com/external-nipple
This is supposed to reduce nipple breakage.
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Old 12-11-20, 03:36 AM
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Originally Posted by csport
Have you already bought the spokes? Then some 12mm brass nipples.
Have the spokes.
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Old 12-11-20, 06:12 AM
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Sapim Polyax seem alright.
But the last set of Rhynolite XL I built with Alpine III I just used standard DT Swiss Nipples, but you could use the brass Pro nipples, they have a similar round head to the Polyax.
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Old 12-11-20, 08:10 AM
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Do the future owner of the wheel a favor. Skip the aluminum and go straight to brass. He or she will thank you (one day).
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Old 12-11-20, 09:39 AM
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My personal favorites are Wheel Fanatyk splined. Lots of colors like aluminum but without the problems that square aluminum can have. Square brass is okay but only if you want silver or black, although black may be more difficult to get.

The other advantage of using splined spoke nipples is that they don’t slip while building. Square spoke wrenches are prone to slippage especially at higher tensions. Since splines nipples have more point of engagement, they are easier to turn at high tension. If you insist on square nipples, in either brass or aluminum, do your self a favor and get a Park SW-42 spoke wrench. It doesn’t have as many engagement points as splined nipples do but they are better then the more open spoke wrenches.
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Old 12-11-20, 10:03 AM
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Get DT Swiss Prolock, which are brass. They don't need any magic goofball prep. And will NEVER unravel, very important.
I have these on all 5 of my DIY builds on my custom heavyweight tour bike and an old CCM, all with Dyad rims.
IMO they soften the stresses. My front wheel is a SA XL-FDD dyno drum with 27,000 miles. Good as new after 2 tours on a 120 lb bike.

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Old 12-11-20, 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by MyRedTrek
Any particular reason you mention the Sapims first rather than the DT Swiss?
Because I use Sapim on most of my wheel builds and find to to be a really quality product and one of my favorite wheel builders who actually did my touring bike wheels fully endorses Sapim and those wheels have been flawless.
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Old 12-12-20, 06:41 AM
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Rosey & Pink
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Old 12-12-20, 03:49 PM
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Originally Posted by csport
Have you already bought the spokes? Then some 12mm brass nipples.

For an ultra-paranoid build there are Pillar DSN (double square) nipples, they require a bit longer spokes, but the threads are made so that the spoke goes further in: https://www.pillarspoke.com/external-nipple
This is supposed to reduce nipple breakage.
Not necessary if the spoke ends penetrate the inner wall for about 2mm.

=8-|
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Old 12-12-20, 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Phil_gretz
Do the future owner of the wheel a favor. Skip the aluminum and go straight to brass. He or she will thank you (one day).
Exactly....alloy nipples seize up, no matter how much anti-seize or grease is used. Let 'em sit long enough in between trues...they'll sieze up.

Stick with brass.

=8-|
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Old 12-12-20, 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by mrrabbit
Exactly....alloy nipples seize up, no matter how much anti-seize or grease is used. Let 'em sit long enough in between trues...they'll sieze up.
Aluminum nipples on one nice set of road wheels that never sees rain or snow... that's an acceptable risk.
Otherwise brass.
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Old 12-12-20, 04:12 PM
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I'm sorry, but I couldn't help myself.

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Old 12-12-20, 06:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Skulking
I'm sorry, but I couldn't help myself.

Carbon Kevlar nipples?

=8-|
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5000+ wheels built since 1984...

Disclaimer:

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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
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Old 12-13-20, 03:25 AM
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Originally Posted by mrrabbit
Exactly....alloy nipples seize up, no matter how much anti-seize or grease is used. Let 'em sit long enough in between trues...they'll sieze up.

Stick with brass.

=8-|
And putting aluminium nipples on Alpine III spokes with Rhynolite Rims is kind of like putting alloy rims on a tractor. Yeah, it'll save weight, but what's the point?
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