I'm going to build some wheels with these rainbow nipples, they arrived today.
I could arrange them so that there's 4 of each colour together, then onto the next colour so that there's one bigger block of each colour as you go around the wheel. Or I could do it alternating the colour per nipple so you get 4 complete "rainbows" around the wheel. I think I'm leaning towards the latter though I bet the former would look better when they're spinning.
Have you done something similar and can I see a photo?
When they're spinning it will all blur into one 😉
I did an Italian flag pattern in one set of wheels, three blue nipples, a green, a silver, a red, three more blue, repeat. Was very happy with the result but don't have any photos I don't think...
p.s. you'll get a lot of naysayers telling you not to use alloy nipples, if they're Sapim you should be fine, if not maybe give the spoke threads a smear of copper anti-seize which has given me three years and one rebuild out of a set so far.
Oh yeah, I know that alloy nipples are death and they'll make my bike explode. They are from Sapim but I was also going to go with dipping the threads in a bit of boiled linseed oil on the recommendation of Ryan (builds wheels).
When they’re spinning it will all blur into one 😉
Good point, I'll probably go for the alternating pattern rather than the blocks in that case. I'd still love to see photos from other folks though if anyone has one?
I've heard that modern aluminium nipples don't seize, how come? Back in the day they ended up beyond useless if they got wet.
As those are locking, the nylock is likely to remove most of any layout on the spoke thread on insertion?
I’ve heard that modern aluminium nipples don’t seize, how come?
I think it is to do with the quality/type of the surface coating and/or the alloy used. Presumably the water just isn't getting to the raw aluminium.
There's no nyloc, when I've rebuilt there is clearly copper grease all the way up and down the spoke threads.
I’ve heard that modern aluminium nipples don’t seize, how come?
I think it's down to the alloy chosen, at least that's what Sapim say.
As those are locking, the nylock is likely to remove most of any layout on the spoke thread on insertion?
In this instance locking means that there's a small indentation part way along the thread which supposedly stops it from backing out. https://www.sapim.be/nipples/design/secure-lock
Dammit, I'd only just managed to get the idea out of my head for coloured nipples on my winter hardtail wheels...
Dammit, I’d only just managed to get the idea out of my head for coloured nipples on my winter hardtail wheels…
Sorry about that - these will be going on a winder hardtail too.
I'd mock various combinations up on the wheel so you can see what they look like. Take photos of each one.
You could also do blocks of two for something in between your two ideas.
See you've dropped the other green tone which makes sense, and the black, but why keep silver? Although if you drop it you have 7 which into your 32 spoke wheel goes 4 times but leaving a remainder of 4.
Also what colour valve will you run and which colours do you want either side of it.
😃 nice
Arranging them as your first suggestion, in blocks, you get a nice effect when riding if you arrange them in a progression like a rainbow. Random mix or sequential looks nice stationary. I have a front wheel with blue and purple alternating which looks like a nice violet when riding.
As for the alu nipples' durability, we (just riding along wheels) used to use DT swiss and most would fail after 3-4 years, by cracking along the length of the nipple normally. We switched to Sapim about 8 years ago and have almost no failures now. The only time alu seems to be a problem is for customers in the channel Islands for some reason. The sea must be especially corrosive there.
I’d mock various combinations up on the wheel so you can see what they look like. Take photos of each one.
Not sure why I didn’t think of this but it’s obviously the right answer, thanks!
You could also do blocks of two for something in between your two ideas.
Also a good idea that I hadn’t considered and which I’ll mock up.
See you’ve dropped the other green tone which makes sense, and the black, but why keep silver? Although if you drop it you have 7 which into your 32 spoke wheel goes 4 times but leaving a remainder of 4.
That’s exactly why, because I needed 4 more to make up the remainder and it seemed like silver would fit better than the other options. I think putting the silver between the purple and pink will probably work out okay though I might also try it with 4 silver in a block around the valve just to see.
I guess I could’ve gone 28h and not needed the last 4 but that feels a bit silly given the application.
Also what colour valve will you run and which colours do you want either side of it.
The valves will be black to match the rim so they don’t interfere with the colours.
@jonwebb hi! Maybe it was you I spoke to on the phone the other day before placing the order? I’ll report back with photos once they’re built, I’m still waiting for the other parts to show up for now though.
I’m double posting with the thread where I scrounged tools but thought I’d drop some photos here too. My rainbow wheels!
It is a no from me but I do fancy these..
https://www.spokesfromryan.com/product/sim-works-raw-brass-14g-nipples-12mm/
So what sequence did you go for?
Can't see very well, seems some change from one to the next yet in another pic there's 3 red together.
They’re alternating colours every nipple (not in groups of the same colour) I think the poor lighting makes the pink - red - orange all look similar but they’re quite different IRL.
I can just about see that now.
I wonder how they'd look with black spokes.
I think the colours would stand out a lot better with black spokes actually. Maybe next time.
