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Questions and answers about sports

What is a nipple driver and would I use one to replace a broken spoke?

5 min read

Asked by: Carlos Blanchard

How do you replace nipple spokes?

Quote from video: Like this one it's made of brass good old brass one or an aluminium nickel brass. Ones are good because they're a lot stronger. So the reason is because you need to guide this nipple with the magnet.

How does a spoke nipple work?

Quote from video: That's the length of the threads in the spoke. That's the total length of the nipple. That part of the nipple is the threaded part this part here is the unthreaded bore. Looking even more closely.

Can I reuse spokes and nipples?

Is It Ok To Re-Use Spoke Nipples? It’s not advisable to re-use spoke nipples because they’re made of soft material (aluminum or brass) and can therefore be damaged when dissembling an old wheel and building a new one with the same set.

What to do when spoke breaks?

Quote from video: Because you thread it in to the opposite end of the nipple to normal several times and then you have a handy poking device threading it back through the rim.

Are all spoke nipples the same size?

The most common spoke nipple sizes are 3.23mm, 3.30mm, and 3.45mm. However, you might encounter other spoke nipple sizes ranging anywhere from 3.2mm to 9mm. Many spoke nipples are also square-shaped, including the most common sizes listed above. Some manufacturers use star-shaped or hex-shaped spoke nipples instead.

Can you ride a bike with one broken spoke?

“Yes! Riding a bike with a broken spoke will not cause much harm to the wheels. However, we suggest you remove the spoke from the nipple to avoid further damage to the tires.” That said, riding the bike with only one or two broken spokes is not dangerous.

Why do spokes break at the nipple?

Spoke breakage can be caused by a number different things – everything from rocks/sticks to incorrect tension, corroded nipples, or faulty spokes. It’s not uncommon for a single spoke failing to lead to failures of additional spokes, due to the increased tension put on the remaining spokes when a single one breaks.

What is a wheel nipple?

In biking terms – and just to be crystal clear about it, those are the only terms we are going to cover here – ‘nipple’ is the word used for the small nut that secures the end of each spoke to the rim of your wheel.

How do I know my spoke nipple size?

The common bicycle wheel uses a square-shaped nipple. The best method to determine the correct spoke wrench size is to use a caliper and measure the nipple across the wrench flats. It is important to know that the diameter, or so called “gauge”, of the spoke does not determine the spoke wrench size.

What does 14G spokes mean?

The 14/15 gauge measurement on the spoke actually refers to the fact that they are a butted spoke, 14g at the ends and a narrower 15g in the middle (to make them lighter but still strong)… Yes, 14G is the size for the spoke nipple.

How accurate do spoke lengths need to be?

You should only round 0.1 or 0.2mm up, the rest goes rounding down. On a double wall rim, you can round to the nearest size. There is about as much freedom in rounding down than there is in rounding up.

Why Are spoke nipples brass?

Quote from video:

How do you remove a stripped spoke nipple?

Pliers + Flathead Screwdriver



You can wrap something (e.g., duct tape) around the spoke for extra protection. Then, rotate the nipple counter-clockwise. Periodically, check if the nipple is unscrewing. After a few turns, it will be possible to unscrew the nipple from the outside via a basic flathead screwdriver.

How do you get a nipple wheel off a bike?

Piece Of Paper Channel

  1. Cut a small piece of paper and make an arch (half-pipe) out of it.
  2. Make two small cuts on both sides. …
  3. Insert the piece of paper through the valve hole until the “wings” are in the rim.
  4. Rotate the rim back and forth until the piece of paper catches the nipple.

How do you change a spoke without removing a tire?

Quote from video: Just going to thread it the full length of the threads. On the spoke like that. And now I'm going to pull the spoke back into the hub. And get the hub nut seated.

How do you get your nipples out?

Use nipple and breast support to help protrude the nipple. Use both hands on each side of breast to make a “sandwich”, to squeeze nipple and areola. Use hands to press in on breast like the way you hold a big sandwich to put in the mouth. Use a breast pump for several minutes to draw out the nipple.

How do I make my breasts feel good?

Breast massage therapy can ease the breasts’ sensitivity and provide better blood circulation to the breast. Gentle massage can also increase milk supply. Massage can help warm up and loosen the tissues around the breasts’ milk ducts and help the milk flow.

Why does my 11 year old boy have inverted nipples?

Inverted nipples are often congenital, meaning they have been present since birth. This condition may result from milk ducts that do not fully develop or because the nipple base remained small while in the womb. Nipple inversion can occur in both males and females and often affects both sides instead of just one.