Wheelbuilding / Wheel Building / Wheel build help

I have a theory that longer nipples could build a stronger/stiffer wheel, as they could offer the spoke more support, but probably marginal differences even if it was true. I've built with 12-16mm and never noticed a difference in ride quality

Probably correct, if longer nipples = longer nipple thread; more thread engagement.
Relies on DT nipples though.
On a previous page someone told me that the amount of thread on a DT nipple varies, increasing with nipple length, while on Sapim and other brands, the amount of thread is same regardless of length.
IMO less risky for the builder to go the Sapim route, just to be sure the nipples aren't going to bottom out before being fully tensioned.

My most recent build was as follows:

• Front PX 'Pro' Road hub, 20h (£5 jumble purchase)
  
• ACI Alpina DB (2.0-1.7-2.0mm), 2-cross
  
• Araya 14mm brass nipples
  
• BOILED LINSEED OIL
  
• Kinlin XC-279.
  
  

Thing is soo laterally stiff and so far has been bombproof (fast/nice day commuting on track bike, 23mm tyres). Very happy with it, and cost less than £40 to build. Thank you @Turkish and others who recommended building with linseed oil; it fucking rocks! I built another three wheels using it over a weekend about a month ago and so far they're all still perfectly true.

It took an Opel Astra to kill my A23 wheelset. Have been to both touring and using them for general riding. 32 spokes laced in 3x with 100kgs worth of rider, so it can be done.

Got my new Novatec X-light front hub today. The drilling on the smallest flange is off-centre. 3,65mm between hole and edge on one side and 2,40mm directly opposite. They've checked their stock and the other ones look the same. They've offered me €10 off - it cost €45 - or I can return it for a full refund.
Was planning to use it on my SSCX and my touring bike and I'm not Michael Rasmussen, more like Eros Poli plus 20kg... What would you do?

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my OCD would force me to return it as I would never 'un-know' that there is a defect... whether or not it would actually affect anything - no idea...

I now feel inclined to check all of my hubs for this. Personally I would take the 10er build it up anyway, 1mm isnt that much of a difference and theyre not that close to the edge of the flange. As long as you build it 2/3x the spoke won't be pulling directly outwards from the hub, so the smaller material next to the hole shouldnt matter too much, get what I mean?

Yeah, I guess if they deemed it unsafe, they wouldn't let me keep/ride it? But I think my OCD makes me send it back...

If theyll replace it with a perfect one free of charge then go for it. Its the kind of thing you'll easily forget once the wheel is built and covered in dirt and road grime

If I get some Kinkin XR22T rims from superstar components, is 20/24 too few spokes for every day / winter use? I'm only about 61kg and rims last forever for me.

Are there a set of cheapish silver hubs in that drilling that'll be decent in all weathers?

i went 28/28 for cyclocross at 90kg and no problems yet, was impressed with the finish of the rims

Why do you want such low spoke counts for a winter wheelset?

Novatec classic.

I've got an a23 rim if you want

Sorry that was meant for @tommmmmmm

I'm just about to cycle down to Beckenham to pick one up...I'd feel bad to cancel that now but thanks!

Do you have any spare Amey-approved tyres? Saw you picked up some more in Japan.

if you are going to ride A23 then you might as well use pasela :P

A23 for the win - unbelieveable rim strength was shown riding with such lose spokes.

They only have 20 or 24 drilling.

I've done a winter on 20/27 factory builds, decent builder and they'll be ok, especially at your weight.

Hope? Dunno what the cheap eBay hubs will be like over winter.

DCR do a "modified" version of Bitex RAF12 & RAR12, presumably with slightly better sealing and some waterproof grease on the pawls, seem alright. Where do people get cheap Bitex?

I dont think the bitex hubs can ever be made into a all weather hub, i dont care what anyone does to them. I stock them but for an allweather hub there is the miche primato and the miche primato. Everything else is either more expensive (ultegra or hope) or not as good.

Xr22t in those drilling will be fine. Id ride them i have 20kg on you and change.

That all sounds pretty promising. Can the primatos be had in silver? Do you stock them?

Do Primatos come in 20/24 hole?

You can get different drilling Kinlin from me or cycle clinic including 24/28 offset version. Fairly pointless not using the offset version, when you can. I'd use 20/28 for extra strength /stiffness on the rear myself.
The only other all weather silver hub would be the new rs4 from hope.
Much lighter then mono, less drag and stainless bearings.