I recently got an old (1991) Kestrel with Wheelsmith-built Mavics and within the first 100 miles one of the nipples sheared clean off. I had checked all of them just before and it was at least hand tight; the wheel was true enough to me.
Basically wondering if I should go ahead and replace all of the nipples to avoid any more problems, or just replace this one. I can’t 100% tell but these look and feel like aluminum to me.
Also, kinda new to serious bike maintenance; do I need to replace the spoke as well? It’s a little bent.
by SpecificWay3074
5 Comments
Also not pictured, the spoke was perfectly threaded right up to where it sheared; is that too short? Should the spoke go all the way to the head of the nipple?
They are shit weak aluminium nipples. It just look alright but not something useable on long therm
Those wheels and their alloy nipples are over 30 years old. I wouldn’t trust them except maybe on a rear wheel for casual rides.
If rebuilding old wheels sparks joy for you, then go ahead and replace all the nipples. But I’d assess the wear on that brake track as well as condition of all the other wheel components before investing the time to deal with it.
This is one of the reason why aluminum nipples suck. When they aren’t snapping at the shoulder, they will often strip out in the threads internally, or the soft aluminum external flats get rounded out from truing.
Replacing all of the nipples with ones made of brass could be done by you. Most shops won’t want to use your old spokes for a wheel rebuild, but it never hurts to ask. You may find somebody who is a glutton for punishment.
Very common fatigue failure when your spokes are too short.
Spoke should extend all the way through the nipple.