Michael is a local rider that we've ridden with over the years. He's certainly handy on the bike and uses his equipment hard.
He contacted us when the alloy nipples started cracking on his Spank Oozy Trail 395 wheelset (supplied as original equipment on his bike). This is not uncommon, especially with the lower quality alloy nipples used as OEM (Original Equipment of Manufacture). It is certainly exacerbated when the nipples and spokes are not prepared correctly, nor the threads sealed following the build process.
Keen for a pragmatic solution, that ensures better long term reliability, we suggested plain gauge Sapim Leader straight pull spokes, and brass nipples this time.
We also switch the former rear and front rims in the rebuild process, as the rear rim has often seen harder use. Time to give it a rest!
The result is a wheelset that is stiffer, bombproof and with brass nipples, considerably more reliable that we had.