Tight spoke nipples on new wheels. Tips - before I break a spoke?

[Jon George]

I'm a couple of weeks into a new Fulcrum 5 wheelset, and after putting some miles into them, the rear wheel is very slightly out of true. I went to adjust the offending bladed spoke, but it twisted in sympathy with the nipple. As the wheels are new, I can't imagine that they'd need oiling to loosen, but I think I need help/advice before I go for trying to break the 'stickiness' by either over tightening/loosening beyond what is needed to cure the alignment and risk maybe breaking a spoke. A squirt of WD40? How much 'twist' can a bladed spoke take, anyway?

 

[TissoT]

They will probably have a touch of lock thread on the them done in the factory
Try loosening the offending spoke/s by a quarter turn ..


Personally I would give it to a good wheel building LBS
Let them do it !

 

[raleighnut]

I'm a couple of weeks into a new Fulcrum 5 wheelset, and after putting some miles into them, the rear wheel is very slightly out of true. I went to adjust the offending bladed spoke, but it twisted in sympathy with the nipple. As the wheels are new, I can't imagine that they'd need oiling to loosen, but I think I need help/advice before I go for trying to break the 'stickiness' by either over tightening/loosening beyond what is needed to cure the alignment and risk maybe breaking a spoke. A squirt of WD40? How much 'twist' can a bladed spoke take, anyway?

I agree with tissot and would also add that any reputable LBS would service new wheels after a couple of weeks as part of the sale.

 

[fossyant]

Being bladed you may need a little tool that holds the blades in place.

 

[cyberknight]

Being bladed you may need a little tool that holds the blades in place.

What would you suggest? I have bladed spokes and used a pair of pliers with some kitchen towel in the teeth last time.

 

[fossyant]

What would you suggest? I have bladed spokes and used a pair of pliers with some kitchen towel in the teeth last time.

That works, but I am sure Mavic do a tool. I do the same as you, and hold the spoke in place with needle nose pliers and a rag. Just stops the spoke twisting

 

[accountantpete]

As above.

Make sure you are turning the correct way and that the spoke key is properly seated (to prevent rounding the edges) then put a lot of force into it.

There will be a loud crack as though the rim has broken but it will just be the nipple freeing itself from the threadlock.

 

[Alien8]

What would you suggest? I have bladed spokes and used a pair of pliers with some kitchen towel in the teeth last time.

For a little bit of faffing pliers are probably fine (if you are careful) but anything more than that I would buy a bladed spoke holder or make your own.

 

[Jon George]

I have bladed spokes and used a pair of pliers with some kitchen towel in the teeth last time.

This was the solution I decided on - I used a spare rubber insert meant for a rear light fitting, rather than kitchen towel. I also used the correct tool my LBS provided free of charge for a different set of Fulcrums I purchased from them (this set came from Ribble), but it looks like I'll need two (it appears to be both a spoke key and blade-spoke holder) if I want to dispense with the pliers in future.

BTW Wheels now running sweet. Thanks again, peeps.

 

[srw]

If a pair of £200 factory-built wheels have gone out of true after only two weeks, they're duds.`Return them.

 

[Jon George]

If a pair of £200 factory-built wheels have gone out of true after only two weeks, they're duds.`Return them.

If they were more out of true than they were, I'd be considering this (or if I'd spent more than the £158 I did), but I've been giving them some pretty brutal treatment (in my eyes, at least) and a less than1/8th adjustment on one spoke far outways the hassle of doing so. If, however, the situation worsens, then I'll be getting in contact with Ribble.