Description

Supplied in packs or 36.
Another recent addition to the Sapim range is the HM nipple washer. This has been designed for use with non-eyeleted rims. Sapim maintain it is better to use a washer on a non-eyeleted rim, it provides a better surface to contact with, reduces friction, spreads the load better and helps to resist corrosion. However, it will add weight to your build and may require you to use longer spokes.

If you are looking to run alloy nipples and/or HM washers. Here are some interesting pieces of technical information about them:

Weight of 1 nickel coated brass nipple (12mm) – ~1g
Weight of 1 alloy nipple (12mm) – ~0.25g

Weight of 1 HM nipple washer – ~0.17g
Thickness of 1 HM nipple washer – ~0.7mm
OD 7.1mm & ID 4.3mm

This means that if you convert a pair of 32 spoke wheels from brass to alloy nipples you will save approximately 48g, if you had a 20:24 laced wheelset you would save approximately 33g. However that weight saving is also at the rim and subsequently will be more noticable. It is also a valuable upgrade because it does not come with any disadvantages.

If you were to add HM washers to a pair of 32 spoke wheels you will add approximately 11g to the wheelset. If you were to add them to a 20:24 laced wheelset you would add approximately 7.5g. When calculating spoke length if you are using HM washers, it is best to add 1.5mm to your effective rim diameter.

Alloy nipples make sense as an upgrade if you are looking to add colour or performance to your wheelset. HM washers make sense if you are looking to add longevity to your wheelset at the cost of a small amount of performance.