Brass or alu nipples
- Thread starter Martin
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Stick Legs
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Brass for go, alu for show.
Alloy nipples look funky and are very '90s so for a period correct retro build I would use aluminum anodised nipples.
However, for a bike I wanted to ride and use for the next few years brass every time.
Aluminium nipples have a nasty habit of corroding / cracking / rounding off.
I think the weight saving in terms of rotating mass is negligible.
Alloy nipples look funky and are very '90s so for a period correct retro build I would use aluminum anodised nipples.
However, for a bike I wanted to ride and use for the next few years brass every time.
Aluminium nipples have a nasty habit of corroding / cracking / rounding off.
I think the weight saving in terms of rotating mass is negligible.
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IN MY EXPERIENCE - ie, its not gospel, its not trolling its not argumentative, etc etc etc:
I found over the years that quality hardened alu nipples are just as good if not better than brass. I have found them less prone to seizing over cheapy brass ones. Obviously that would depend on the wheel builder.
I've also found through personal experience that alu nips are more likely to break rather than a brass nip coming through the rim eye and trashing the rim at the same time.
In modern gold bling cheap from ebay times, I have found, so far, that they seem to stand up to abuse from seawater (I ride on the beach a lot) and havent given any probs on recent retro meets.
I found over the years that quality hardened alu nipples are just as good if not better than brass. I have found them less prone to seizing over cheapy brass ones. Obviously that would depend on the wheel builder.
I've also found through personal experience that alu nips are more likely to break rather than a brass nip coming through the rim eye and trashing the rim at the same time.
In modern gold bling cheap from ebay times, I have found, so far, that they seem to stand up to abuse from seawater (I ride on the beach a lot) and havent given any probs on recent retro meets.
^^^ wot he said.
I have aluminium nipples and not had any problems such as cracking and (qill check) but I have rebuilt the same wheel with new rim but using old spokes and nipples twice without any problems. (just need som penetrating oil first and do the tweaking with a screwdriver as much as possible).
I know of at least one nipples that has started to round off though but have had the same problem with brass.
re: mass - it is sited at the cricumference of the wheel where it has the biggest affect so uf you can save some weightm then why not - I doubt it will be noticed.
so my vote is for alloy nipples.
I have aluminium nipples and not had any problems such as cracking and (qill check) but I have rebuilt the same wheel with new rim but using old spokes and nipples twice without any problems. (just need som penetrating oil first and do the tweaking with a screwdriver as much as possible).
I know of at least one nipples that has started to round off though but have had the same problem with brass.
re: mass - it is sited at the cricumference of the wheel where it has the biggest affect so uf you can save some weightm then why not - I doubt it will be noticed.
so my vote is for alloy nipples.
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It doesn't matter, use whichever you like.
They both build wheels
They both round off
They both snap when tightening if you're unlucky.
Brass should be stonger for a similar quiality (e.g. DT to DT) but I just ahd a DT brass snap on twisting during building a wheel and it had just started to tension. Wouldn't normally happen though.
So unless you're putting extreme forces though them in big chunky rims it doesn't really matter.
But seen as you often get brass nipples with your spokes then may as well use them if you're not bothered about the extra few grammes saved.
Brass are better for none eyelted wheels though as they twist easier and without the rim digging/scoring in to the nipple.
Carge, you should lube up brass nipples as well (unless they have a thread lock in them)
They both build wheels
They both round off
They both snap when tightening if you're unlucky.
Brass should be stonger for a similar quiality (e.g. DT to DT) but I just ahd a DT brass snap on twisting during building a wheel and it had just started to tension. Wouldn't normally happen though.
So unless you're putting extreme forces though them in big chunky rims it doesn't really matter.
But seen as you often get brass nipples with your spokes then may as well use them if you're not bothered about the extra few grammes saved.
Brass are better for none eyelted wheels though as they twist easier and without the rim digging/scoring in to the nipple.
Carge, you should lube up brass nipples as well (unless they have a thread lock in them)
