Free Sample
The Complete Handbook of Bicycle Wheel Nipples
A practical reference for wheelbuilders, shop mechanics, and serious cyclists covering materials, dimensions, threading, and real-world performance of bicycle wheel nipples.
by Alumigogo Books
Chapter 1: Understanding Bicycle Wheel Nipples
A bicycle wheel nipple is a small, threaded metal barrel that connects a spoke to the rim. It is the component that allows the length of the spoke to be adjusted, which in turn sets the tension and trueness of the wheel. Without nipples, it would be impossible to build a wheel that is round, straight, and under the correct amount of load. Every time you spin a wheel, the nipples are working, transferring the pull of the spokes to the rim's eyelets or drilling. A wheel's reliability, ride quality, and longevity are largely determined by the quality of this small component and the skill with which it is installed.
The nipple is not a passive part. It is a precision mechanical fastener. In a typical wheel, each nipple is threaded onto a spoke and then sits inside the rim. The mechanic turns the nipple to draw the spoke down, increasing its tension. This is how the wheel is built. The force at play is significant. A well-built bicycle wheel can have a total spoke tension of several tonnes, distributed across the spokes. Each spoke, and therefore each nipple, is holding a substantial load. If a nipple fails, that spoke loses tension, the wheel becomes unstable, and a ride can end abruptly.
Consider a common scenario: a rider hits a pothole at 30 km/h. The impact sends a shockwave through the tire, rim, and spokes. The nipple at the bottom of the wheel, called