Is nipple size an issue?

[apb]

I'm just about to buy some spokes for a couple of wheels i'm going to build. I've calculated spoke size with a 12mm size nipple, but the spokes that i want to buy come with a 14mm gauge nipple.

Will this make much of a difference? I'm assuming not, think the 14 mm nipple will have more threading.

Cheers,

apb

 

[I like Skol]

What size nipple do the rims you are using require? Longer nipples are usually only used in specific cases where the rim needs it, such as where a hollow box section or aero profile makes the short nipple too short. The problem isn't the nipple, which will be threaded right through, but the thread on the spoke. The longer nipple may hit the end of the thread on the spoke before there is enough tension in the spoke. Either repeat the spoke calculations with a 14mm nipple or get the correct 12mm nipple.

 

[apb]

The longer nipple may hit the end of the thread on the spoke before there is enough tension in the spoke.

That makes sense. cheers.

It's a little strange that no spoke calculator, that i've seen, allows you to adjust the nipple size.

 

[I like Skol]

That makes sense. cheers.

It's a little strange that no spoke calculator, that i've seen, allows you to adjust the nipple size.

I've just been through this exercise myself so it's fresh in my mind. I tried/compared 3 different spoke calculators to make sure they gave similar results and as far as I can remember, 12mm is either the default setting or can be entered into the calculator.

Try DT swiss spokes, wheelpro and one from Sheldon Brown site?

I ordered my DT swiss double butted spokes from Rose cycles in Germany, a lot cheaper than the uk and they come with 12mm nipples or you order them seperately (I can't quite remember) but whatever, it is a lot cheaper than UK suppliers.

 

[apb]

yep they're the three i've used.

DT Swiss and Sheldon Brown gave me the same length. while the wheel pro gave me a length 2mm longer.

Roses cycles hey... Cheers

 

[PpPete]

Don't know about other manufacturers nipples, but Roger Musson in his excellent Wheelpro book suggests that DT Swiss Nipples are
a) not threaded over their entire length
b) because of where the thread stops inside the nipple, and increase of 2 mm in nipple length only requires a corresponsing shortening of spoke length by 1 mm.

 

[apb]

interesting.

If you couldn't get the exact size. would you go 1mm up or down? or wouldn't it matter?

 

[I like Skol]

interesting.

If you couldn't get the exact size. would you go 1mm up or down? or wouldn't it matter?

I think I went down because the last things you want are spokes protruding through the nipple and nipples to run out of thread before the spoke is tensioned.

 

[PpPete]

Anything up to 2 mm shorter than the calculated length is fine. Shorter than that, and it becomes a bit more challenging to lace up.

A comibination of unequal hub flange diameters and slightly unconventional lacing means that my "best" audax wheels have spokes which are all within 2 mm of each other... so I only need to carry a single spare.

 

[apb]

Cheers Pete. Sheldon browns spoc calculator is saying 284.4mm for the front wheel and 284.1mm for the back (single speed).

I might go down to 283mm and get some 12mm nipples from the website that Skol has suggested as they are cheap!

 

[e-rider]

DTs calculator allows nipple length to be added, either 12, 14 or 16mm.

You could always just buy some nipples - DT swiss brass 12mm nipples £5 for box of 100

Every time I've used spoke calculators they have given slightly too short spoke lengths, and I've had to buy more spokes!!!

 

[biggs682]

saw the title of this thread , but must have got the wrong idea

 

[apb]

DTs calculator allows nipple length to be added, either 12, 14 or 16mm.

You could always just buy some nipples - DT swiss brass 12mm nipples £5 for box of 100

Every time I've used spoke calculators they have given slightly too short spoke lengths, and I've had to buy more spokes!!!

so it does, completely didn't see that.

cheers