Wheels, Brass vs Aluminum nipples

[droo]

I've repaired a handful of Roval wheels (alu and carbon) where nipples were breaking. Upon analysing the wheels, spokes etc I noticed that the wheels were previously (by the factory or a 3rd party, I'm not sure which) assembled with spokes that were a few mm too long, causing damage to the nipples as the spokes were threaded too deeply into the nipples.

 

Ask whoever rebuilds the wheel(s) to check spoke lengths carefully.

 

And yes, brass nipples every time.

 

I've seen quite a few with nipples bottomed out on spoke threads. To the point where I don't touch Rovals if I can avoid it.

[droo]

I heard an interesting angle as to why the alu nipples are corroding. The theory is that the wheel and spokes turning past the frame is making it act like an electrical generator with the spokes being electrically charged and the nipples effectively being ionized as they are at the furthermost extremities.  Hence the corrosion on the nipple head, not my theory so won't find me defending it!

 

Nope. Galvanic corrosion. It's electrical, but definitely nothing to do with induction.

[raptor-22]

Brass for sure...Alu can corrode and seize up. Brass is far more durable.

 

 

Specialzied don't cover corrosion under warranty.....(rolls eyes)

[droo]

Specialzied don't cover corrosion under warranty.....(rolls eyes)

 

They can't. It's inevitable.

[RockCoach]

Sounds like they brought out the S-Works pricelist for you.

 

Average retail price for brass nipples R2.50

Average retail price for aluminium nipples R4.00 

Average retail price for a spoke R13.50

[Hairy]

Had a couple of bonti wheels do that to me. Brass replacements all the way!

 

Last set of wheels I had built alsO used brass nipples and have not had a moment's issue with them!

[dirtypot]

I hate aluminium nipples, especially the anodized ones.  You've got a 50/50 chance of it just crumbling when trying to true the wheel.
Brass all the way.