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51
Wheels, Tyres and Brakes / Re: Alternative to Andra 30 rims
« Last post by PH on May 18, 2026, 09:47:19 PM »
Quote from: martinf on May 17, 2026, 09:58:27 PM
[For the last 15 years or so I have always used the Sapim Polyax nipples for my builds. They may not always be necessary, but they don't do any harm and are cheap enough. 
Rohloff spokes have always come with Polyax nipples, though they've recently changed to the new locking version, which is still Polyax.  They're an interesting idea, I think it deforms the thread, it seems mainly an advantage for machine built wheels, they're also aluminium which puts me off. 
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Wheels, Tyres and Brakes / Re: Alternative to Andra 30 rims
« Last post by PH on May 18, 2026, 09:31:00 PM »
Quote from: Andre Jute on May 18, 2026, 07:59:59 PM
* As far as I know, the special Rohloff version Sapim Strong spokes are different mainly or even solely in the angle at the hub end to preserve the flange. Correction welcome if you know better.
Yes, the difference is just the J bend.  But, Rohloff spokes are a version of Sapim Race, a double butted 2.0/1.8/2.0 spoke.  Not the single butted 2.3/2.0 Sapim Strong.
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Wheels, Tyres and Brakes / Re: Alternative to Andra 30 rims
« Last post by Andre Jute on May 18, 2026, 07:59:59 PM »
I noticed over the years that in Europe Sapim spokes and their Polyax nipples are almost a default choice on serious bikes (as distinct from bike-profile objects sold by supermarkets), with the closest competition coming from DT Swiss. In the States, Wheelsmith spokes are mentioned so often, one can be excused for thinking they are the only spokes available, which of course is unlikely.

I just wish the Sapim Strong spokes, as for instance fitted to my Utopia-velo Kranich, were not so butt-ugly, not to mince any words about their in-your-face butts. I suspect the butts of the Sapim Strong, or anyway of the special Rohloff version*, were not made more aesthetically pleasing by blending the extra-thick butt into the long middle section because of a misplaced aversion to even a micro-gramme of extra weight. There's no complaint with the way the Sapim Strong do what it says on the tin: my wheels are as tight and as straight as on the day the bike arrived fifteen-odd years ago in contrast to a bike from the reputable Royal Dutch Gazelle factory which arrived with spoke tension all over the dial in wheels I virtually had to rebuild if I wanted them to last.

* As far as I know, the special Rohloff version Sapim Strong spokes are different mainly or even solely in the angle at the hub end to preserve the flange. Correction welcome if you know better.

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Rohloff Internal Hub Gears / Re: Fitting front Hebie Chainglider 38t
« Last post by daviddd55 on May 18, 2026, 06:10:24 PM »
If you saw my garage Mickeg you'd understand that i never throw anything away - especially bike-related (;-)
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Wheels, Tyres and Brakes / Re: Alternative to Andra 30 rims
« Last post by mickeg on May 17, 2026, 11:04:40 PM »
Quote from: martinf on May 17, 2026, 09:58:27 PM
...
I have built probably over 100 wheels, but only one with a Speedhub. For the last 15 years or so I have always used the Sapim Polyax nipples for my builds. They may not always be necessary, but they don't do any harm and are cheap enough. I don't always use Sapim spokes, sometimes the right length wasn't available with Sapim so I used another brand, generally DT Swiss.

That is a lot more than I have built, but I built all the wheels on my bikes with the exception of my road bike that I bought as a complete bike.  That said, I did build a dynohub wheel for that road bike, so I am only using one wheel that I did not build.

I used Wheelsmith spokes and I am not sure which brand of nipples I used until I built my Rohloff wheel in 2013.  I bought the Polyax nipples for that wheel, and have used them since for all of my wheels.  And my most recent wheel, the Wheelsmith spokes were unavailable, I used Sapim spokes.
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Wheels, Tyres and Brakes / Re: Alternative to Andra 30 rims
« Last post by martinf on May 17, 2026, 09:58:27 PM »
Quote from: mickeg on May 17, 2026, 09:10:16 PM
I suspect that SJS uses Sapim nipples and spokes, but do not know with certainty.

Probably.

Rohloff sell "special" spokes for building wheels with their SpeedHub. Quote from their website :

"Special spokes with a neck length of 2.9mm will be required when lacing SPEEDHUB wheels. If you are able to inform us of the ERD value of your rim, then we will be able to calculate the correct spoke length required for the build. The Rohloff AG are able to supply (via our extensive, worldwide network of distributors and dealers), specially finished Sapim Race spokes (DB 2,0/1,8/2,0 mm) in the most popular even lengths. These are available in black or silver with matching color, 14mm Sapim lock nipples."

I have built probably over 100 wheels, but only one with a Speedhub. For the last 15 years or so I have always used the Sapim Polyax nipples for my builds. They may not always be necessary, but they don't do any harm and are cheap enough. I don't always use Sapim spokes, sometimes the right length wasn't available with Sapim so I used another brand, generally DT Swiss.
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Wheels, Tyres and Brakes / Re: Alternative to Andra 30 rims
« Last post by mickeg on May 17, 2026, 09:10:16 PM »
I suspect that SJS uses Sapim nipples and spokes, but do not know with certainty.

I used Sapim Polyax nipples and Wheelsmith spokes on my Nomad Mk II, but Wheelsmith (no longer in business) made the spokes about 90 miles from my home, so I had some local bias.

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General Technical / Re: Fitting a Bor Yeuh Front Low Rider Rack
« Last post by Andyb1 on May 17, 2026, 08:54:39 PM »
Hi Adrian,
Interesting that you say on your link that you have converted the bike from 26” to 700c rims.
What are your thoughts about this change?
What 700c tyre size are you using?


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General Technical / Re: Fitting a Bor Yeuh Front Low Rider Rack
« Last post by B cereus on May 17, 2026, 07:28:32 PM »
It's not too clear from your photographs but it looks as though the hoop is secured with P clips, and it may be wrongly assembled.

Is it possible to completely removed the hoop and swap the two pannier supports left to right. You should then be able to refit the hoop on the outside of the pannier supports.
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Wheels, Tyres and Brakes / Re: Alternative to Andra 30 rims
« Last post by Andyb1 on May 17, 2026, 07:18:56 PM »
Thanks George.  I know very little about wheel building so useful info.  I don’t know what type of spokes / nipples SJS use but I have a couple of spare wheels from another brand of bike and the axial misalignment of spokes and nipples at the rim is terrible!

The good news, however, is that while my rims do not have any stickers left on them, I am pretty sure that they are Mavic XC717s which is what Thorn used around 2006 when my bike was built.  The Mavic web site gives a wear limit on the rims of 0.4mm.  I have measured the dishing and it is about 0.25mm (slip gauges under a straight edge across the rim).  The Mavic site also says there should be internal wear indicators (shallow holes drilled from inside the rim) that break through as wear increases.  No sign of those.  So I think I still have some life left in the rim(s).  I think I was lucky when I bought this bike as it does appear to have had very little use even though it is 20 years old.

When / if I do need to replace the rim(s) I think the Halo rims that PH mentioned would be best as they seem very similar to the Mavics.  I have Andra 30 rims on my other bike (with discs) and while I am sure they are strong, they are perhaps over strong for what I need.  And certainly heavier.

I want to use the Raven in India again next winter and I now think the existing rims will be fine.   I rode back to Somerset from Mid-Wales on it last week (230 miles) but I will now hang it up and use my other bike for the summer.
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