Using longer nipples and 'short' spokes to lace a wheel

NeilP

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A thought occured to me while replacing a few spokes on an old Tarn hub motor the other day and I probably could have made my life easier in the past if I had used the same technique in my wheel building.

The wheel I was doing had short spokes...88 mm I think in a radial pattern and they had used longer than 'standard' 16mm nipples.

This meant that the spokes all ended just short of the rim , not by much, maybe 1 to 2 mm maximum when un-tensioned But that makes the lacing so so much easier, no need to try and flex short stubby spokes to fit inside the holes.

Since ERD is in reality 'the diameter where you want the spokes to finish' it is jsut a matter of measuring the inner rim diameter and knocking off a mm or so and using this in the online spoke calculators, then just use a longer nipple with , I suspect, a longer threaded portion.

No question here really just an observation that is looking for comments or experience in this 'method'
 
Nipples are threaded up to the head and the spoke length should match as close as possible. Long nipples are meant to build stronger, not to use shorter spokes.
 
MadRhino said:
Long nipples are meant to build stronger, not to use shorter spokes.

But it does work, though a lot more stress is now being put on the nipple barrel
 
Interesting thought--I wish I had this option with my present wheel--it would have prevented the problem I am having right now:
http://www.endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=710382#p710382
 
My thoughts completely. Not sure how the nipples will take the extra loading though
 
Send me some and I'll abuse them for real. :lol:
 
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