Sapim Polyax Brass Nipple 14G 12 mm – Black
The Sapim Polyax nipple is a 12 mm, 14G spoke nipple made of nickel-plated brass with a black finish. It is a robust standard nipple for everyday wheels; the Polyax head lets it follow the spoke angle, which reduces stress where the spoke enters the nipple.
Why the Polyax?
Polyax head. Spokes rarely run perfectly straight into the rim. The Polyax head aligns with the spoke, so the spoke is not bent at the thread.
Corrosion resistant. Nickel-plated brass, so the wheel can still be trued after years of rain and road salt.
Durable nipple flats. Brass is harder than aluminium, so the flats stand up better to repeated truing with a spoke key.
Made by Sapim. Forged and drilled on calibrated machinery and quality-checked by Sapim.
12 mm, 14G thread. The standard length for most rims; fits Sapim CX-Ray, Sprint and other 14G spokes.
Where the nipple sits
1 – rim bed (tyre side). 2 – inner wall. 3 – nipple washer. 4 – nipple: the classic flats are reached with a spoke key from outside the rim. 5 – spoke, towards the hub. Illustration, not to scale.
Who is it for?
- Commuters, trekking and touring riders. Riding in all weather.
- E-bike and cargo bike owners. Wheels that carry higher loads.
- Wheel builders. A reliable standard nipple for 14G spokes.
Specifications
| Model | Sapim Polyax |
|---|---|
| Material | Brass, nickel-plated |
| Gauge / thread | 14G (2.0 mm) |
| Length | 12 mm |
| Finish | Black |
| Tightening | Classic nipple flats, standard spoke key |
| Fits | 14G (2.0 mm) spokes, e.g. Sapim CX-Ray and Sprint |
| Sold | Per piece |
Frequently asked questions
Brass or aluminium nipples?
Brass is heavier but tougher and more corrosion resistant – a good choice for everyday, all-weather wheels. Aluminium is lighter and mainly used for performance wheels; for deep and carbon rims we offer the Sapim Polyax Double Square aluminium nipple.
Is 12 mm long enough for my rim?
12 mm is the standard nipple length and fits most rims. For deep-section rims, where the nipple has to reach further, a 16 mm nipple is the better choice.
How many do I need?
One nipple per spoke – for example 32 for a 32-hole wheel. Order a few extra as spares.
Why buy Sapim nipples from BoodaBike?
- Sold per piece. Buy a few spares or a full set for a new wheel – you pay for exactly what you need.
- Orderable even when out of stock. If it is not on the shelf, you can still order it.
- Matching spokes. Black Sapim CX-Ray and Sprint spokes are cut to your length in our workshop.
- Used in our own wheels. We use Sapim spokes and nipples in the wheels we build ourselves.
BoodaBike grew out of Massive Bikes, a Budapest workshop that has been building belt-drive and hub-gear bikes since 2013.
On a built wheel
About Sapim
Sapim is a Belgian manufacturer that has specialised in bicycle spokes and nipples since 1918. From its headquarters in Wilrijk (Antwerp) and more than six factories in Europe and Asia, the company can produce around 600 million spokes and nipples a year.
Sapim introduced the CX-Ray aero spoke and the Polyax nipple in 1995 – both are still benchmarks in wheel building today. The company also runs its own independent testing department (Cycling Parts Testing) for wheel and bicycle manufacturers.