[golden boy]

Some sources say to use a thread locker like Wheelsmith Spoke Prep. Others, like Roger Musson, say to use a lubricant like motor oil. I've tried both. I liked the motor oil better. The Spoke Prep just lead to spoke wind-up in my experience.

Anyone else care to share their experiences?

 

[KevinB]

I use anti-seize.

 

[shopcat_cycles]

How many wheels have you built GB? I'll be building my first set soon. A friend(and avid wheelbuilder) recommended a heavy oil on my first few builds to avoid spoke windup - I assume it has to do with the spoke prep setting up too quickly, in conjunction w/ the slow going of my first few builds.

 

[swift]

I use common houshold oil (e.g. 3 in 1). I've tried spokeprep and didn't like it. I still have an *almost* new bottle if anyone wants a discount. It's expensive and unnecessary.

Fisherman, I'm not sure how heavy oil will avoid spoke windup. Spoke windup is something you're likely to deal with no matter what. The only thing I can note from my experience is that straight gauge will windup less than swagged, and thicker swagged will windup less than thinner gauge swagged. ...But they will all windup.

When starting out on your first few wheels, you can use a piece of tape on the spoke as an indicator. As you tighten nipples on the tensioned wheel, you'll see the tape rotate as an accurate indicator of how much the respective spoke you're tweaking is being twisted.

Good luck!

 

[Mike T.]

We've done this one many times. The most recent was a couple of days ago -

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=635163

Contributor Roger Musson is a pro wheelbuilder in the UK.

 

[mtnbiker72]

Light oil followed by DT Spoke Freeze...never had a wheel (or reports of any wheel I've built) loose tension and never had a seized nipple.

 

[golden boy]

Sorry, I should have done my homework and searched first. I got lazy. Read the most recent thread, and it pretty much confirmed my suspicions. I'm getting ready to build my fourth set of wheels and first set of 29" wheels. Thought I'd check here before I got started.