Rounded spoke nipples how do I remove them

daveyroids

My old training wheels need adjusting but when I went to do this a number of the brass nipples rounded now I can't budge them. I have standard nipples on the wheel and my spoke key is in good condition so I know the key has not caused the problem. The wheels are getting on a bit and I think that the nipples have just ceased over time.

After lifting the rim tape and peering into the rim I can see that the spokes are protruding above the nipple so no chance of getting a normal screwdriver in to remove them. Is there a tool to do this or a method that I have just not thought of?

Monty Dog

You can get a nipple-driver tool (ooh-err missus!) from the likes of DT or Sapim, but they are expensive. You can make your own by simply cutting a small notch in the tip of a suitable, flat blade screwdriver.
Also worth getting a Spokey spoke wrench - this engages the nipple on 3 sides making it less likely to round them

ugo.santalucia

You need a spoke key to undo it and then a screwdriver to get it out once the spoke is slack.

mikenetic

Nipple drivers are specifically designed to spin off the end of the spoke, bringing each spoke to the same initial starting tension during the wheel build, so you'd be building a very unusual one for this job, it's the reverse of a normal one.

How much do you care about the spokes? Best bit might be WD40/GT85 to try to release them a bit, then use a mole grip (shudder). Or you could use strong heat (paint gun levels or higher, maybe a quick flash from a blowtorch) to spot heat them and get the expansion to crack the corrosion bond.

Regardless, if a couple have seized, chances are most of them are close to the same condition.

daveyroids

Most of them are in a bad condition. The wheel is years old. I had it stored for years (not very well) and when I came back into cycling swapped its 6 speed cassette body for a 9 speed. Wheels are great apart from now needing to redish the rim. I have put some WD40 on the spokes in an attempt to loosen So think I will try that along with a home made nipple-driver tool that Monty dog suggested. Don't have a heat gun so I will shelve that idea at the moment. Looked at the Spokey wrenches they look good.

Wirral_paul

Would it not be easier to get a new spoke and simply cut the old one to remove the two halves? You're going to need a new nipple anyway.

cycleclinic

Generally when I find a rounded nipple or a nipple that rounds becuase it is a) poor quality, b) seized or c) both, I cut the spoke and replace. It is not worth the faff in trying to get the nipple of and every attempt I have made has generally failed.

I find it is not worth cheaping out on spoke nipples. Sapim and DT make excellent ones that do not distort even at ridiculus tensions so even if they seize a bit they should still wind off.

daveyroids

yeah I did think of cutting them out. I have a number of replacement spokes somewhere that I think are the right length but i have loads of good quality spoke nipples, think they are DT. I have loosened all but 5 spoke nipples so it may be an idea to cut out the remaining spokes and just replace them.

daveyroids

Well, I have all the prep work done, spokes and nipples sorted out. Used a variety of you suggestions.

Thanks for the posts really helpful.

Herbsman

daveyroids wrote:

...the spokes are protruding above the nipple so no chance of getting a normal screwdriver in to remove them.

Punch and kick the person who built them. If violence is not your preference, just insult him/her verbally.

daveyroids

Yes if I had released at the time but about 10 years on (or more) (how old are RX100s?) don't think I can even remember where I got them. Still in fantastic condition though probably done less than a couple of thousand miles that why they were saved and not binned.