Cracked nipples

[igstar]

Recently a nipple on my front wheel cracked. Upon closer inspection I identified half a dozen other cracked nipples. They are cracking lengthwise from where the spoke comes in. The nipples are aluminium and wheel has 32 spokes (2 cross).
The rear wheel has all the same components and configuration, but everything looks good.
Any ideas what could be causing this? Are different forces placing stress on the front wheel? I also read on another forum that sweat falling on front wheel could be causing corrosion, not sure how plausible that is.

[rkelsen]

I find it hard to believe that sweat is making it all the way to the spoke nipples.

How old is the wheel? Has it seen many wet roads?

I'd be hesitant to ride it for too much longer. Losing a front wheel hurts.

[il padrone]

Sweaty cracked nipples ??

Yeeooww!!

[Dan]

Sweaty cracked nipples ??

Yeeooww!!

Shea butter, I'm told.

[igstar]

The wheels are 2 years old max. Ridden in all sort of weather. The puzzling thing as I said is that rear wheel is prefect...
I used velocity rims, Swiss spokes and campag hub. It's a racing bike so it's not carrying any heavy loads.

[rkelsen]

Call me old fashioned, but I'm not 100% comfortable using aluminium for this sort of thing... for the very reason you've discovered.

Personally, I'd swap them out for brass ones, but I tend to prefer longevity at the cost of extra weight.

[kukamunga]

Too much tension? Not enough tension?

Like aluminium frames, aluminium nipples can get brittle and crack

I think I remember the same thing happening on a front wheel I built about fifteen years ago. Have never used aluminium nipples again

Brass

[Mulger bill]

I had to look at the top of the page to be sure I hadn't stumbled into the health area...

Methinks it's time to hit up your retailer of choice for 64 brass nipples and some rebuilding time.

[il padrone]

Hmm... seems sweat can be a bit of a corrosion problem for some cyclists. I do well remember a mate of mine having his frame rust badly all around the head tube, top tube and down tube after just 4-5 years - not in a sea-air environment and stored indoors. His spokes were quite OK though.

This one is pretty bad

[marinmomma]

Sweaty cracked nipples ??

Yeeooww!!

Shea butter, I'm told.

Old midwives recommend cabbage leaves, so I've heard!