Damaged Spoke Nipple Trying To True Wheel?

[Cletus Van Damme]

Today I tried to true the rear wheel on my Secteur Sport as it had went well out of true and one spoke was very slack after 200 miles. I did a search on here and tried some great instructions from byegad and after quite a bit of messing around I have got the wheel vastly better than it was. The only problem I have is that I was using a Topeak Hexus 2 multi-tool spoke key to adjust the nipples and this tool looks pretty poor has it has very small contact area with the spoke nipple, or maybe I am just crap as it was my first time (I have a feeling that I used the larger size first and ruined the flats, although the nipples seem to be made out of cheese on these Alexrims). Anyway one of the nipples is in a bad way and I could only adjust it with mole grips. So basically I have 2 questions?

1) Do I just need to buy spoke nipples or complete spokes, and how easy are these to replace?

2) What is a decent spoke adjustment tool that offers a greater contact area with the flats on the spoke nipple than what I am currently using?

Thanks for any help.

 

[PoweredByVeg]

Just get the right length spoke nipple, LBS is probably the best place. They're replaced by removing tyre/tube/rimtape, unscrew damaged nipple (it's got a screwdriver slot if the flats are totally mullered), then refit new one.

Some people replace them dry, bit of grease or proper nipple lube, take your pick

My link Halfords do this tool that I use, nice long contact area, but if you're in the LBS for nipp's ask them what they suggest

It's satisfying to true and then build a wheel, try taking an old wheel apart and then rebuild it, if it goes all Pete Tong it don't really matter

 

[rusty bearing]

Make sure that you get brass nipples, not aluminium ones which really aren't up too the job. If you have a wheel jig you can pop it in and replace one at a time and true as you go, shouldn't have to worry to much about roundness and dishing if you're careful.

 

[gwhite]

Far better to use this spoke key as it fits on all sides of the nipple.
http://www.parker-international.co.uk/11139/Cyclus-Spoke-Key-Top.html

Better be aware that it's possible to achieve lateral trueness but the tension of the spokes may not be even. This is likely to result in spoke breakage due to spoke fatigue at the spoke bends.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Thanks for the replies guys I will get some new brass nipples and a decent tool like the ones listed. You are correct gwhite I would definitely not think that my spoke tensions are all even after my efforts. But then again they were not before I touched it, one was slack as anything. I have read a bit on here about people complaining about the quality of these rear wheels on the Secteur. I was planning on replacing when I can afford it. Maybe I should take it to my LBS, but then again they might not make much of a better job, I dunno.