How to Build a Bike Wheel: Spoke Prep with Linseed Oil or Wheelsmith SpokePrep

[akacoke]

hi, when it comes to using linseed oil, does it matter if its boiled or non boiled? thanks

[SniPeXBasiKs]

sounds like he said will smith spoke prep XD

[switchback18]

I've never had spokes loosen on any wheels I've built. Lube of some kind is needed to get decent tension, but I've never found that the lube allows the nipples to loosen. I would think that the tension would be a greater force holding the nipples still than the lube could overcome. You'd need a fairly big impact anyway, which may well trash the rim. It seems this way in practice anyway.

So yes, any oil is better than no oil, but to be absolutely sure then spoke prep/linseed is ideal.

[rcdevil2]

could i just use motor oil or olive oil? if not are there any other alternatives that can be found in my garage or kitchen? thanks,

[fredzimt]

@rcdevil2

I guess any oil would be better than no lubrication at all. Linseed oil has the additional advantage of locking the spoke nipple after it polymerizates.

But then I'm not sure if that is necessary when you build your wheel with decent spoke tension.