Spokes

Brass is stronger than aluminum nips

DT Comp spokes are strong. Use brass nipples.

EDIT: Build quality makes a huge difference. Make sure you go with a good builder.

yep, build quality will be more important. With that said the comps will be more than enough and save weight over the champions.

As for nipples, i have used aluminum nips on all my wheelsets (about 6 or so) from DH to AM to DJ/Urban and never had a single one break. I had one wheelset for almost 3 seasons too. The only downside is its possible to strip them if you overtighten them or put too much pro lock or similar stuff on it. Again this will go back to having the right person build them.

You could save a fortune by learning how to build them yourself. It's not hard at all.

Get Sapim spokes, they build up so nice. :thumbsup:

DT comp spokes with pro lock nipples, you wont have any problems, exactly what I run on my DH wheels. If you want to save a few $$$ then DT plain gauge spokes wonk add much weight and are super strong.

DT comp are my normal build spokes, but will use sapim if not avail.

No issues will alloy nipples.

I stopped using al nipples on tubeless non UST wheels because the amonia in Stan's and maybe other sealants will corrode the al even though they were anodized. Happened to the rear then happened to the front after a few years. I'm not ever sure how it got to them. I used Stan's rim strips which sealed and fit well. Ghetto with cut tubes hanging out of the bead might protect better and of course UST rims are sealed.

Plus if you do have to true it's easier with brass because they tend to hold shape better.

You don't really save much weight with al. About the only thing that can be said about al nipples is they come in pretty colors. I use black brass.

I have heard the black spokes are not as strong as bright but I never researched why and I think the black ones are plenty strong. I run 2.0 1.8 2.0 spokes on everything these days.

I've never once had a problem with aluminum nipples. I do suspect that the zinc content in brass nipples prevents galvanic corrosion with the stainless spokes. That being said I have always used a high zinc content anti seize labelled for aluminum when I have built my wheels.

same here

myarmisonfire said:

I've never once had a problem with aluminum nipples. I do suspect that the zinc content in brass nipples prevents galvanic corrosion with the stainless spokes. That being said I have always used a high zinc content anti seize labelled for aluminum when I have built my wheels.

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I have aluminum as well. For some superstitious reason I always get brass for the rear.

Aluminum nips are fine.

myarmisonfire said:

I've never once had a problem with aluminum nipples. I do suspect that the zinc content in brass nipples prevents galvanic corrosion with the stainless spokes. That being said I have always used a high zinc content anti seize labelled for aluminum when I have built my wheels.

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They didn't fail at the thread. They fail at the rim nipple junction. The heads pop when they corrode through. There is probably enough friction at that point to wear through the anodizing and allow for corrosion to start.

It's not fiction. It's happened to others too.

I've had al nipples break.

My spokes break first. And at the other end.