mytomspunnen Skrev:
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> What kind of rims, spokes and nipples do you use?
> I prefer stainless steel spokes, alu rims and
> brass nipples. I can't see how that could
> corrode!!!
> And no, if the spoke tension is right, the spokes
> doesn't come loose!
Round rims, straight spokes....? ;-)
I have never built my own wheels, I am not that interested in wheel building really.. but the wheels i have bought have had alloy rims with inserts, stainless spokes and alloy nipples, with threadlocker on them.
My limited understanding is that once a wheel is built it will settle, the spokes will settle in the hub and in the rim.. and then the spokes will loosen a little... trust me.. I rode Bockstensturen on brand new wheels, and at the finish the wheels were like jelly.... all the spokes were loose... the shop retensioned everything, used threadlocker, and that was 6 or 7 years ago... the wheels have since been on 4 different bikes and are currently on my singlespeeder... apart from the initial near-disaster at BST in '97 they have NEVER been re-tensioned...
If I was having new wheels built now, I would also spec stainless spokes and brass nipples.... but back in '97 we were all training everyday and counting grammes, (remember?) which is probably why they had alloy nipples.......
I agree with you... that a professionally built wheel by a talented and possibly a little nerdy wheel builder may not need threadlocking compound, or re-tensioning after the break in phase... and they will stay true and tight for ever and ever.... but in reality, most of us mortals have to use the wheels that we get.... and I would rather have a wheel with threadlocker on it.... that will not fall apart on a 80km ride the first time out....!
I base my comments on the fact that I bought a bike with custom built wheels from Merlin cycles, they were threadlocked and stayed perfect for a very long time, I also had wheels built by my LBS here in sweden... they had no threadlocker, and almost fell apart after 80km... they were then retensioned, and reluctantly I managed to get the wheel builder to use threadlocker... he did... although he preached (as you do) that it wasn't necessary.... But who cares... the wheels have been great since june '97.... and the reason the braking surface hasn't worn out.... Disc Brakes..!
In my humble opinion based on almost 10 years of riding MTB's.... I would insist that any wheels I buy are threadlocked.... and if the wheel builder refuses to do it... get a warranty that they will not need re-tensioning for 7 years!
Applying threadlock is easy....
build the wheel, put a drop of the spoke threadlocker (which is very thin-like water) on every spoke where it goes into the nipple... and then simply spin the wheel fast.... the threadlocker gets thrown out into the threads and everyone is happy.
Take it easy,
Hammer.
The few