> > in the ol' days we used nothing.<<
I had a wheelset in the early 80s that was very troublesome. I built up Shimano 600 high flange hubs, 36 Torrington spokes laced 3 cross to Montherly Pro tubies. The rear wheel was fine but the front was problematic. The same two spokes on the right side would loosen. I retrued several times, I was embarrassed because I was the hot shot wheel guy at the shop and my own pride was suffering. I went to an industrial show with my father and scored a free vial of loctite blue. No further problems. In fact I did several loaded day and multiday trips with this wheelset.
I wish now I had . . . moved the spokes tried two different spokes tried two different nipples to see if that made a difference
Any one else have a similar experience?
Odd thing is that I decided to speed up a Raleigh Gran Prix to give to my girlfriend, now wife of 20 years. I used the same hubs and built them up with Wolber clinchers. The spokes were built into another wheelset and the rims were installed on my Serotta Club series with Dura Ace hubs and DT stainless spokes. No troubles with any of the resultant 3 sets. Go figure.
Is anyone using loctite these days on spokes?
Howard Darr
Clymer PA