tensioning bladed spokes

bianchimoon
bianchimoon Posts: 3,942
edited September 2018 in Workshop
Any advice gratefully received, just getting the 'winter' bike with campagnolo Zonda wheels ready for this evenings windy ride, and finally got round to trying to fix a slight 'wobble', not my specialist area so here goes. no matter how i try i can't clamp the bladed spokes tight enough to stop them turning as I use the spoke key, as I let go of the wrench that i've clamped them with, they spring to the twist i've put on the 'nipple'
Question do they 'seize' into the nipple? would wd40 help release them or am i doing something totally wrong. A dedicated spoke holding tool is not an option at this moment.

thanks in advance :)
All lies and jest..still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest....

Comments

  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Sounds like the thread has seized. Common with UK wet and salty roads / alloy nipples / bike last used on a wet ride.

    You don't need a spoke holding tool; a bit of wood with a narrow slot at each end will do the job. Once the spoke is immobilised try loosening the nipple one full turn which should break it free and will be easier than tightening. Then tighten it again by one turn before starting truing.
  • keef66 wrote:
    Sounds like the thread has seized. Common with UK wet and salty roads / alloy nipples / bike last used on a wet ride.

    You don't need a spoke holding tool; a bit of wood with a narrow slot at each end will do the job. Once the spoke is immobilised try loosening the nipple one full turn which should break it free and will be easier than tightening. Then tighten it again by one turn before starting truing.
    ta, i'll try a squirt of WD40 to see if i can free it
    All lies and jest..still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest....
  • not sure what the spoke/nipple is like on yours but the ones on Kyseriums seize together then the bit you turn disintegrates in your hand.
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • svetty
    svetty Posts: 1,904
    not sure what the spoke/nipple is like on yours but the ones on Kyseriums seize together then the bit you turn disintegrates in your hand.
    Agree with MF - those Mavic nipples are made of cheese :lol:
    FFS! Harden up and grow a pair :D
  • photonic69
    photonic69 Posts: 2,416
    Svetty wrote:
    ........... nipples are made of cheese :lol:

    Mmmmm! Two of my favourite things! Nipples. Cheese. Boom! :D


    Sometimes. Maybe. Possibly.

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Sounds like corroded alloy nipples and I doubt WD40 or even PlusGas will make much difference - better off using some ACF30 on your spoke nipples - it'll break-down the aluminium oxide corrosion
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..