Bicycle Mechanics - Is it possible to repair a "Pinched" bead in a rim.

Three years ago, I ordered my bike via mail order. It was shipped UPS ground and they obviously stacked or dropped something very heavy on the bike in shipping because, although the bike itself was undamaged when it arrived, the box was "taped over" with brown tape. When my lbs assembled it for me, they could not set the brakes because the rear wheel was damaged. The bead was "pinched."

Now three years later, I discoverd the rim is still in my garage. (I purchased a new rim and had a wheel built long ago). The rim is brand new and perfect, except for the damaged bead. Is there a way to repair it. or am I asking for trouble and unnecessary expense.

You could try these

http://www.bicycletool.com/rs1.gif

I once hit a curb at high speed, at night, while drunk. Not suprisingly the tire went flat. I hit it so hard the rim bead seating area was pinched together. I used a pair of smooth pliers and a cloth to simply bend it back to nearly straight. The cloth just went between the pliers and the rim to prevent as much marring as possible. It worked for me, I rode the rim for about 4 more years untill I actually wore through the rim from so much braking. When I saw the holes in the aluminum, I got a new rim. But the fix worked for me. I did also have to true the wheel a tad as it still had a slight flat spot from the whack and I didn't have a flat spot puller at the time. If you have access to one of those it's a cool tool. If your wheel has a flat spot, use this tool as it makes truing the wheel 99 times easier. whithout the tool, I'd recommend putting the rim between your feet and pulllllllling on the flat spot to try to get it closer to round.

But if all you have is a slight pinch in the bead seating area of the rim, then just use pliers, even vise grips will work, just don't forget to put the cloth in there otherwise the roughed up area will make braking uneven and eat up your brake pads.

Hope this helps,

sincerely,
Orange leader

Thanks. It helps a great deal

Always ride safe.