Got an American Classic Victory 30 and the rear one has several broke spoke nipples. Only done about 1200 miles on them but they are otherwise in perfect condition. Have no idea how long the nipples have been like that for, only noticed them when I cleaned them. Would this be a possible warranty claim or is it down to wear and tear? I regularly hit speeds well over 30mph but they should be designed for this.
Are damaged spoke nipples serious?
- Thread starter User16625
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
02GF74
Über Member
spoke nipples hold the wheel together and keep it running true, if one is broken, so is not holding the hub to the rim, the wheel will be out of true, the amount will vary according to the spoke pattern, rim strength number of spokes etc.
obviously all the spoke nipples and spokes are necessary to do their job else manufacturers would not fit them to save money.
if there is insufficient support of the rim i.e. too many broken spokes or spoke nipples, then you can expect the wheel to collapse.
i have done many thousands of miles on wheels built using brass or aluminium spokes and have never had a spoke nipple fail; only problem with them is rounding the edges of one or two after they seized onto the spoke.
obviously all the spoke nipples and spokes are necessary to do their job else manufacturers would not fit them to save money.
if there is insufficient support of the rim i.e. too many broken spokes or spoke nipples, then you can expect the wheel to collapse.
i have done many thousands of miles on wheels built using brass or aluminium spokes and have never had a spoke nipple fail; only problem with them is rounding the edges of one or two after they seized onto the spoke.
Smurfy
Naturist Smurf
- Location
- Smurfette's Kitchen
The website says this wheelset is:
Unless you have the build of a sumo wrestler I think it's fair to say the product is defective if the nipples are breaking.
Take them back, get a refund, and buy something else.
Unless you have the build of a sumo wrestler I think it's fair to say the product is defective if the nipples are breaking.
Take them back, get a refund, and buy something else.
accountantpete
OAP
They have alloy nipples and it may be a bad batch so that further nipples break. I'd contact the company through the retailer for their suggestions but basically I'd try and return them or get brass nipple replacements.
Sittingduck
Legendary Member
- Location
- Somewhere flat
I have had problems with nipples, in the past. Somewhat recently, infact! Had 1 fail on the club run last Saturday and another adjacent one go when I was replacing the first. Corrosion caused by some water ingress, was in evidence. I have had this happen on other wheels in the past. Cheapo spoke nipples, I think. Pretty annoying.
Rob3rt
Man or Moose!
- Location
- Manchester
On the Pro-Lite?
Sittingduck
Legendary Member
- Location
- Somewhere flat
Yeah 
I have my wheels less than a year and I will take them back. I no longer have the reciept tho so I guess I have no ground to stand on. In anycase they will put it down to wear and tear or other factor that I cant claim against. Are replacing the nipples an expensive job to do at a LBS?
RecordAceFromNew
Swinging Member
- Location
- West London
Do you have the credit/debit card bill associated with the purchase (which should enable them to trace to the transaction)? If the wheel stays true I can't see how they can say it is anything but faulty components that are not fit for purpose.
Alas it is the expensive (alloy, as accountantpete said) nipples that fail usually, for saving c20 grams a wheel.
02GF74
Über Member
yes but that is the best place to save it - you want to keep the unsprung mass as low as possible plus lose weight at the circumference.
Sittingduck
Legendary Member
- Location
- Somewhere flat
Aye, brass nipples would be my pref anyday!
Spoked Wheels
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bournemouth
I agree with your conclusion however, Alloy (Aluminium) nipples are fine to use on road wheels, if you make sure they are well lubricated when fitted.
Smurfy
Naturist Smurf
- Location
- Smurfette's Kitchen
I don't know how much it would cost. I've done all my own maintenance for years so I really haven't a clue. Sorry!
Smurfy
Naturist Smurf
- Location
- Smurfette's Kitchen
The saving will be 20 grams, versus a rim of ~500 grams, and a clincher tyre of ~250 grams. Total saving of ~2.5% at the wheel perimeter. Brass nipples win every time for me!
