skuke
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 323
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Forum has been kinda slow lately and I actually have some time now since I'm between classes. Not to worry though, it'll get hectic again next week!
Been raining like heck all last month (25 days) and still raining this month, but I managed to get a ride on the Moser. Got about 15 miles out and popped a spoke on the non-drive side. No big deal, I opened up the brakes and rode home. Normally, I would have continued on my ride, but rain was threatening and going further from home and risk riding on a 1990 wheel with an unknown history didn't really appeal to me.
I bought a new spoke (DT) and nipple and repaired the wheel. What was interesting was that each nipple hole in the wheel was filled with white silicone caulk. This bike was raced professionally in the early 90's and I'm sure some pro mechanic put the caulk in. Anybody have any ideas why?
I'm sure it wasn't to prevent the nipples from accidently loosening, there are better ways to prevent that. I thought perhaps it was to keep water out since this was an all weather race bike. But seems that it would more likely keep water in, than out. Anyhow, I'm sure a race mechanic would take the tires off after a wet ride anyhow (I do). I then thought it was to protect the tube from the sharp edges of the nipple hole grommet. But that would only matter if there was no rim strip. ...I'm out of ideas.
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Skuke
95 Carbonframes Tetra Pro
92 Bridgestone MB-1
90 Moser 51.151
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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Maybe it was to stop squeaks. Maybe it was to hold the nipple in place while he threaded the spoke. Maybe it was a wild idea the guy had that served no useful purpose but looked good at the time.
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superunleaded
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 223
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I actually have a wheelset with silicone caulk in the holes and around the inside of the rim in place of the the rim strip. Could it be possible that the original owner used the silicone caulk instead of the rim strip. And then the 2nd or so owners decided to put a rim strip?
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***Regular Unleaded - 4.99
***Special Unleaded - 7.99
***Superunleaded - Arm & a Leg
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skuke
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 323
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Quote:
superunleaded wrote:
Could it be possible that the original owner used the silicone caulk instead of the rim strip.
Yeah, maybe caulking the rim was vogue in the early 90's. ...but I don't recall that ever being the situation. I remember "drillium" to be the material of choice, so adding weight to something like a rim would seem counter-productive to the whole concept of drillium.
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Skuke
95 Carbonframes Tetra Pro
92 Bridgestone MB-1
90 Moser 51.151
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skuke
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 323
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Quote:
Insightdriver wrote:
Maybe it was to hold the nipple in place while he threaded the spoke.
Except that one turns the nipple and not the spoke!
There is an offset screwdriver made specifically for the purpose of starting nipples when building wheels. Most (if not all) wheelbuilders use this tool. I think the caulk was added after the wheel was built.
Quote:
Maybe it was a wild idea the guy had that served no useful purpose but looked good at the time.
Sounds good to me!
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Skuke
95 Carbonframes Tetra Pro
92 Bridgestone MB-1
90 Moser 51.151
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