Glue on your spoke nipples

[Flapdoodle]

I have had to re-true my back wheel for the third time. Not an easy task with a bad back and two chains to deal with.

This time after the rim strip was installed, I slid it to the side and put a drop of Gorilla glue around each nipple. then slid the strip back over. The glue will expand and hopefully between sticking to the metal and the rubber they will not unscrew themselves again.

This WalMart wheel has been a pain since I bought it. TEN of the spokes were 1/4" too long and had to be shortened to get them tight. Only two spokes were too long on the front wheel.

Does any one have a better solution to prevent nipples from getting loose?

 

[bluegoatwoods]

That sounds like the right fix if the trouble is nipples coming loose. I've never thought of an out of true wheel as being caused by that, though.

I've always had the notion that it came of being slammed too hard and the rim bending "around" the spoke anchors.

 

[Junster]

Is the trouble on the engine drive sprocket side? The walmart spokes are soft they maybe stretching.

 

[Flapdoodle]

I thought of that. It happened to spokes at random. Most nipples could be turned easily with my fingers. The nipples seem as though they are a poor thread fit for the spokes, but I don't have the tools to measure that.

The bike has been babied since I got it except for one test when I got it to 34mph. It went airborne when I hit a bump and decided I should not do that at my age.

 

[Mountainman]

spokes unscrewing themselfs ??
don't think that will ever happen unless they are real loose in the first place
some of the new wheels these days come with so so tight spokes
and then they loosen up more after a little riding
pretty easy with wheel left on bike -- take all spokes up 1/2 turn -- spoke wrench
then just some slight trueing is all that should be needed

MM

 

[Flapdoodle]

spokes unscrewing themselfs ??
don't think that will ever happen unless they are real loose in the first place
some of the new wheels these days come with so so tight spokes
and then they loosen up more after a little riding
pretty easy with wheel left on bike -- take all spokes up 1/2 turn -- spoke wrench
then just some slight trueing is all that should be needed

MM

That is exactly what has been happening. They were a sloppy fit when new. This last time the wheel was way out of true after just one short ride.

 

[Grease]

My spokes would vibrate loose to the point of having 1/2" of slop in some of the spokes. I tightened and trued the wheels, then used a drop of blue loctite on the nipple (between the nipple and the spoke). Problem solved.

 

[Porkchop]

First blame the bike manufacturer for building such junk, then blame Walmart for buying the junk and passing it on to cunsumers ! It all revolves around the almighty $$$$$$

 

[Mountainman]

They were a sloppy fit when new

maybe we are just talking about true junk wheels here ?? I don't know ??
if that's the case we may be talking a safty issue here
should we seek a refund ??

when spokes are kept pretty snug -- tight -- they usually don't just loosen
sure in time they stretch

to loosen my spokes -- one would need a quality spoke wrench
and a good strong turning finger and thumb

these babies are not just going to un-loosen themselfs

ride that MB thing

 

[Member 5549]

My Wal-mart spoke

has pulled out at the nipple with out breaking the spoke off , go figure ???
The chinese steel has magical propties!!!!