So I am building up my Flows to hope pro IIs right now. I am bigger, 215-220. They are going to snap in half.
Stan's ZTR Flow wheelset
- Thread starter DIRTWRKS
- Start date
are you being sarcastic? what use are you going to make of them? for DH, yes, definitely. for xc or even "agressive xc", you will be fine. I weigh 215 now too.
If you ever wondered how heavy/light would be your new, expensive wheels, here's the info 
Galerie der von mir gefertigten Radsätze
Galerie der von mir gefertigten Radsätze
Yes to sarcastic. Yes to DH. I think they will be OK. maybeeee
aaaaah. I see. keep us posted.
So after finishing my wheels up, looks like I shoulda went with 259's. Is it ok if I have like two/three spoke threads showing? Not all the spokes, but a few.
wish my stuff would show.
ok, went ahead and purchased the Hope/Flow combo, now need to build them up. I am going to use DT Comp spokes and I have few questions regarding the nipples:
1. I would like to use red nipples but it seems that they only come in alloy, is it so bad to use alloy instead of brass? Are they so much less robust for Trail/AM?
2. Which make do you suggest for red nipples DT, wheelsmith, other?
3. What size nipples should I order, 12mm or 14mm?
4. Does the size differ if it is alloy or brass?
5. Does hex type nipples fit the build?
1. I would like to use red nipples but it seems that they only come in alloy, is it so bad to use alloy instead of brass? Are they so much less robust for Trail/AM?
2. Which make do you suggest for red nipples DT, wheelsmith, other?
3. What size nipples should I order, 12mm or 14mm?
4. Does the size differ if it is alloy or brass?
5. Does hex type nipples fit the build?
I also went with the hope and ztr with dt comps. However, I bought 258's which were not long enough with 12mm alloy nipples and I have thread showing on a few of the spokes, gonna go pick up some 16mm.
vmantzar
ok, went ahead and purchased the Hope/Flow combo, now need to build them up. I am going to use DT Comp spokes and I have few questions regarding the nipples:
1. I would like to use red nipples but it seems that they only come in alloy, is it so bad to use alloy instead of brass? Are they so much less robust for Trail/AM?
I would avoid using alloy nipples in general (as a workshop manager I will not build customer wheels with alloy nips), but especially for Stans ZTR rims
the simple reason is that the Stans rims are not eyeletted (like MAvic), this means you are torquing the nipples directly against the rim wall, and alloy nipples against alloy rim wall can feel "grabby" whilst building, even if lubricated with wet chain lube, making a good tension and wheel build possible
yes, it can be done, but its much more hassle
good quality brass nips from DT, Sapim, Wheelsmith are worth the small weight penalty over aluminium alloy nipples, both in terms of the intial build on ZTR rims, and long term durability for easy wheel truing after months of mud / rain and salt on the snow covered roads.
ok, went ahead and purchased the Hope/Flow combo, now need to build them up. I am going to use DT Comp spokes and I have few questions regarding the nipples:
1. I would like to use red nipples but it seems that they only come in alloy, is it so bad to use alloy instead of brass? Are they so much less robust for Trail/AM?
I would avoid using alloy nipples in general (as a workshop manager I will not build customer wheels with alloy nips), but especially for Stans ZTR rims
the simple reason is that the Stans rims are not eyeletted (like MAvic), this means you are torquing the nipples directly against the rim wall, and alloy nipples against alloy rim wall can feel "grabby" whilst building, even if lubricated with wet chain lube, making a good tension and wheel build possible
yes, it can be done, but its much more hassle
good quality brass nips from DT, Sapim, Wheelsmith are worth the small weight penalty over aluminium alloy nipples, both in terms of the intial build on ZTR rims, and long term durability for easy wheel truing after months of mud / rain and salt on the snow covered roads.
I have had a set of flow to hope hubs with alloy nipples for 2 years now. Not a single issue. On top of that I have had every wheel of mine built (probably 5 or so sets) with alloy nipples without a single issue whatsoever. I have never broken a nipple yet.
I guess it comes down to wheelbuilders, their technique, and also what they use for spoke prep. I know if you over torque them they will be likely to break or if you use too much or the wrong spoke prep then stripping them could be an issue. But with the ZTR flows having no eyelets, overtightening them should be something you avoid.
So to the original poster who asked, I haven't had an issue but have a wheelbuilder who is confident building with them so maybe ask the guy who is going to build yours what he thinks cause in the end thats what will matter most.
i'm thinking i'm going to go ahead and order a ZTR flow wheelset...
few questions..
1) is there a difference between alum and brass nipples in terms of holding tension? my current stock alex fr32 rims have alloy nipples, and after a hard day of riding, 3-5 spokes loosen up in the rear specifically. would a brass nipple help prevent this problem, or is this just a result of poor build quality?
2) dt swiss champ or comp spokes? i think comps are lighter and maybe not as strong, but they hold up well? i'm 170 w/ gear, smooth rider, and prefer spending my time on 20-25ft doubles and FR lines than rocky gnar.
3) any good sites to use for wheel builds? was thinking of using prowheelbuilder.com, comes out to like 580$ for a wheelset.
few questions..
1) is there a difference between alum and brass nipples in terms of holding tension? my current stock alex fr32 rims have alloy nipples, and after a hard day of riding, 3-5 spokes loosen up in the rear specifically. would a brass nipple help prevent this problem, or is this just a result of poor build quality?
2) dt swiss champ or comp spokes? i think comps are lighter and maybe not as strong, but they hold up well? i'm 170 w/ gear, smooth rider, and prefer spending my time on 20-25ft doubles and FR lines than rocky gnar.
3) any good sites to use for wheel builds? was thinking of using prowheelbuilder.com, comes out to like 580$ for a wheelset.
kinda figured it was just a ****ty build. if no difference, what are the pros/cons of using an alloy over a brass, and vice versa?
thanks for the quick response, i appreciate it.
thanks for the quick response, i appreciate it.
Aluminum's a little lighter, brass is a little stronger. Aluminum nipples will fatigue eventually, I've had them last quite a few years on an XC bike but on my AM or DH bikes they don't seem to last more than maybe 2 seasons before they start breaking.
thanks for the input HAB. some good info i didnt know.
Try CRC. I just bought a set of Flows on hope pro2 for my scratch off wiggle for $360 delivered but am getting a set of 823's built up on hopes from CRC for my operator for under $500 as they have discount vouchers out at the moment. If you get flows instead of 823's should be even cheaper plus you get 5 or 6 spare spokes with them.
thanks for the tip OM8.
on a side note, anyone know if the stock stans ZTR build is ok?
i have a local selling a set new, dirt cheap. 1725g vs. that of hope hoops being around 1880g i believe. ~50g savings is from the ZTR brand hubs, and not too sure where the other 100 or so g comes from.
on a side note, anyone know if the stock stans ZTR build is ok?
i have a local selling a set new, dirt cheap. 1725g vs. that of hope hoops being around 1880g i believe. ~50g savings is from the ZTR brand hubs, and not too sure where the other 100 or so g comes from.
I have had all of my wheels built by Stan's for 4 or 5 years now. The build has always been really really nice, better that 99% of the shop builds I have had,. Thumbs up from me.
fast response...sweet, thanks Transcend!
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