12g M3x0.5 spokes in rim designed for 8g

[niels_]

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to build a DIY 16" wheel for my Sur-Ron. I’ve already ordered and received a 16×1.85 rim from AliExpress. This rim uses 10–8G spokes, so it has very large nipple holes. I happen to have an old Milk Racing 21" front wheel with 8G nipples that fit 12G threads (spokes are 2.6 mm thick). I’d like to use these nipples, but the 12G spokes I bought don’t screw in properly. They thread in about three turns and then stop.


the left spoke is the original one that threards in the nipples, the right one are the ones i bought and do not fit. both are 2.6mm diameter.

According to what I’ve read (and what AI tells me), standard 12G spokes have a thread pitch of 0.45 mm/turn, while the nipples I have are 0.5 mm pitch. A standard M3 screw with 0.5 pitch threads fully into the nipple, so I’m pretty sure that’s the issue.

My question is: where can I find 12G spokes with a 0.5 mm thread pitch? Does anyone have more knowledge about this or know where to find matching spokes?

Thanks!

 

[Apartunis]

Radial clearance allows threads to mismatch with apparent success, even if they do not. SAE #10-32 screws feel great in M5 x 0.8 nuts, but that only works when they are not working hard, like with reflectors or toe clips. That is only 0.004" difference in diameter.

To my best knowledge, all bicycle spokes other than Robergel from ancient history have 56 tpi threads. Nasty petroleum burning relics probably differ because they are inherently disagreeable.

 

[niels_]

The spoke nipples come from a Milk Racing wheel that is only about three years old, so they are not from any old or outdated system. Milk Racing must be sourcing or manufacturing these spokes and nipples somewhere, most likely from a supplier in China. Because of that, it seems reasonable to assume that matching spokes do exist, even if they are not made to the common bicycle standard.

 

[Apartunis]

12ga spokes aren't really bike parts, so they might not observe bicycle customs. Unless you weigh 600 pounds and ride through fist sized rocks, you would be better served by 14ga spokes. They carry more weight and more torque more reliably, and they are less likely to crack or rupture your rims.

 

[A-DamW]

I'm trying to build a DIY 16" wheel for my Sur-Ron. I’ve already ordered and received a 16×1.85 rim from AliExpress. This rim uses 10–8G spokes, so it has very large nipple holes. I happen to have an old Milk Racing 21" front wheel with 8G nipples that fit 12G threads (spokes are 2.6 mm thick). I’d like to use these nipples, but the 12G spokes I bought don’t screw in properly. They thread in about three turns and then stop.

Could a possible solution be to use spoke head/nipple washers?;

spoke washers at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

What kind of wheels use spoke washers/nipple washers?

Just that, what kind of wheels use spoke washers? Is this a nice addition to any old wheel, or are certain rims designed to use these? Would these perhaps help with a damaged spoke hole in a rim?...

bicycles.stackexchange.com

 

[niels_]

Could a possible solution be to use spoke head/nipple washers?;

spoke washers at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.

duckduckgo.com

Yes, that could be a solution, but it seems less ideal than using the 12/8G nipples I already have, which fit perfectly in the rim. Standard 12G nipples are too small and fall straight through the 8G holes, and I don’t think it’s safe to run them with spoke washers. The only missing piece is finding the right spokes that properly fit these nipples. I don’t really understand why they had to be different by using a 0.5 mm pitch instead of the standard 0.45 mm.

 

[niels_]

After a long search, I finally found the right combo:

• Spokes: Stainless steel spokes 2,6mm (12G / 2.6mm stainless, 90°)
• Nipples: Nipple M3/6,5/18mm SM - MOTO :: E-SPOKES (M3x0.5 / 6.5mm / 18mm)

These are 12G spokes with an M3x0.5 thread, combined with oversized nipples that allow them to fit perfectly in moto rims designed for 8G spokes (already have these). I've just ordered the spokes and will post an update on the fitment and quality once they arrive!