Three spoke nipples snapped on a rear wheel build last weekend

2 comments

2 Comments

Wait, nipple lube? Like actual chain lube or like a specific spoke prep? I had three spokes snap on my last build too and I thought I was just cranking too hard on the tension. Let me tell you, I was so frustrated I almost threw the wheel out the window. That tension meter idea is probably smart but I've never been able to justify buying one, just never had that kind of money to drop on a tool I'd use once. Did you really have that much of a difference side to side or was it just a few turns off on the tension? Because I swear I checked everything by feel and thought it was good, but maybe I'm just not as good at this as I thought.

patricia_wright5d ago

Honestly, I've been there. Had three spokes pop on a rear build last summer, it was a total bummer. What really worked for me was double checking the tension with a spoke tension meter, not just going by feel or even the pluck test. Turned out I had one side too tight and the other too loose, that's what caused the snapping. I also started using a bit of nipple lube on the threads before lacing, made a big difference in getting even tension across the whole wheel. Once I fixed those two things, the next wheel held up perfect on the same rim and hub combo.