I am going to be building up a wheelset with alloy spoke nipples and stainless steel spokes. I have built up a few wheelsets before (all with brass nipples) and have used grease and Spokeprep on the threads (at different times).
I have heard from various sources that alloy spoke nipples have a tendency to"freeze" or seize onto the spoke thread over time, which can make truing the wheels later a major headache. Some have told me that they would not use Spokeprep with alloy nipples as this might make the problem worse.
If anybody has some experience with wheelbuilding especially using alloy spoke nipples, what would you recommended as the best spoke and/or nipple lubricant or prep (or process) for stainless steel spokes and alloy nipples to prevent the seizing problem? Any other tips? Thanks.
Greg,
Have built many, many wheels in my time. Alloy nipples do have a greater tendency to freeze up, and crack, than brass nipples. I’ve used Tri-flow and Loctite (NOT the red kind) successfully on many wheels. One shop I wrenched at used Loctite on every handbuilt wheel and we had zero problems. I’ve never really felt Spokeprep was that worthwhile. I’d probably stick with a light lube to stop the threads from binding while tensioning.
When you use loctite on spokes, I assume you get the wheel trued and tensioned right and then drop loctite into the nipple/spoke “joint” (as opposed to putting it on the threads before screwing it into the nipple ala spoke prep)? Assuming that’s right, does it matter if you drip it in from the hub side or the spoke bed/rim side? What flavor loctite? Blue?
I used to use a purple loctite (i.e. you want the the weakest bonding ability)…but loctite has introduced new products in the last few years so I don’t know what the ‘weakest’ colour is anymore…I now just build wheels for myself and use Triflow for a prep.
It really doesn’t matter when you put the loctite on…it only works once it’s dry. So as long as you have tensioned /trued your wheel before it dries you’re ok. If you put it on after tension, do it from the hub side.
Wheelbuilding is really about proper lacing for the application & proper, even tension with good stress relief. I think the spoke prep issue is secondary, but is of more importance when using alloy nipples
Thanks for the info. So if I use just Tri-flo alone on the spoke threads and inside all the nipples, I should be OK when a year (or years) later I try to true up the wheel? Would any light grease make a difference or might it make the freezing problem worse?
I believe the nipples freeze up because of some type of corrosion between the stainless and aluminum (I don’t know the real reason…materials engineer around?). I’ve never used a light grease but expect it would work, it may in fact last longer than tri flow. the lube also serves to allow the nipples to turn smoothly when tensioning, otherwise you can get a very slight twisting tension in the spokes that will result in wobbles a day or two out when the tension relieves through riding (and then you have to retrue).
What I used to do was sit out all the spoke nipples facing up on the workbench and then put a drop of lube/loctite on each one. Then just build up the wheel. Allow nipples, especially if built on a high tension wheel (such as radial or 2x), always have a greater tendency to crack/fail. If you’re just building a training wheel, I’d build it with brass nipples. That said, I have a 10-yr old 28 hole radially laced front wheel with d/b spokes and alloy nipples that’s probably seen 10-15,000km and it’s still straight and has the original nipples. bring the tension on the wheel up slowly and stress-relieve well and you should be golden.
I’ve built hundreds of wheels with alloy nipples and from my experience I have found that it can be difficult to avoid seizing alloy nipples in wet or harsh climates. Your best bet is to use either spoke prep, which has to be applied lightly to avoid flaking off, or light machine oil followed by an application of a specific loctite compound made by DT. DT Swiss and Loctite have worked on a blend that can be used in the presence of oil and still allows for subsequent retruing many months or years down the line. Feel free to contact me if you need spoke prep, DT loctite, or if you have other wheel building questions.