Originally Posted by
Kojak
I've had a rim fail due to excessive winter grinding, but I was doing a ton of miles for several winters in a row.
It was very scary when the rim let loose, I was descending doing about 45mph. Touched the brakes to set up for a turn; bam. Stayed upright, but very nearly soiled my shorts. I don't want to go through that again.
Yikes.
I've never had a failure (thank god), but have replaced several mountain bike rims over the years. I still recall the unmistakable sound that the gritty mud would make as the friction and grit gradually took the metal away on every hill. I think I got 3-4 years of heavy off road riding on wet trails out of my front rim. The rear lasted longer.