Shimano R550 Spoke Nipple

xcracer

After three weeks, I 've finally managed to get hold of a new spoke for my rear wheel. I unwrapped it excitedly only to find it doesn't come with a nipple to attach it to the hub and so is as good as useless.

Anybody know where I can get one? As I've trawled almost every bike shop in London over the last three weeks looking for the damn spoke, I'm not keen to repeat that.

When I bought these wheels, I never gave spare parts a second thought given that they were made by the worlds foremost component manufacture. What a mistake to make!

andy_wrx

I asked the same question last September.

A nipple disintegrated in my hub, the spoke was OK

I didn't get any responses on here, but someone posted this as a useful answer on CycleChat

It looks like SJS cycles might have them.

Are you aware of the Shimano technical documents that are available online?

From the parts diagram of the WH-R550 rear wheel, it looks like you need the left nipple (21), part number Y-4A0-03000.
http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techd ... 608667.pdf

SJS offer this nipple for WH-7800 wheels, with a similar part number.
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Shim ... -17527.htm

Cross check with the Shimano diagram of the WH-7800 wheel, and it confirms the same part number, Y-4A0-03000. Bingo!
http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techd ... 608636.pdf

NB it was a left (non-driveside) nipple I wanted - the ones on the other side are a different size, with similar detective work from the Shimano part numbers, SJS also have that
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Shim ... -17528.htm

However, in the event, I decided to have a go with a normal spoke nipple - wasn't the correct Shimano one, just one I had kicking around from a broken spoke on another wheel - a non-hub nipple, the usual nipple you have at the rim on a 14g spoke.

It fitted, went a bit further into the hub rather than sitting proud of it, but I could tighten it up and true the wheel.

That was last September/October...I'm still riding round on the wheel...

xcracer

Thanks Andy! I might have a go at your 'bodge' suggestion first. I've just paid SJS £2.50 to send me the spoke. Call me tight but I don't really want to pay them another £2.50 for something that you could send with a first class stamp. Cheers!

markos1963

I had one break a few weeks ago, again one the non drive side. I went to Specialised Cycles in Norwich(Connaught Street) and they had some and fixed it for me. Give them a call if you don't have any luck.