Mountain Biking - Dented Rim

I messed up my rear rim yesterday trying to hop up a ledge. I didn't fully clear it and the rear wheel bashed into the ledge. As you can see in the attachment, there's a small dent in the rim. So now the braking in the rear wheel isn't very smooth anymore. What should i do about it? Can it get fixed or will i definately have to replace the rim? Will it be okay if i ride on it until i fix it or get a new one, or is the rim significantly weakened?

I think this is a case where the repair is worse than leaving it alone.

I've whacked my rims numerous times and they've lasted for years. I also destroyed new rims in just a couple rides.

The only fix is to try to flatten out the hump a bit, but that could weaken the aluminum sidewall of the rim.

I'd leave it and just deal with the wierd braking.

If you insist on trying to better the situation. Get a block of wood and lay it flat against the side of the rim (remove tire),(heck, remove wheel off of bike and lay the rim against something firm or you'll knock the whole wheel out of true.)

Remember, it's better to start gently than to ham fist the job!

hey, thanks for the help. i guess i'll just leave it since i don't want to pay a couple hundred bucks for a new rim.

Bummer. I would replace it. But that's me ...not you. I'm anal about my gear.

I don't think there's much harm in riding it. If it's a UST rim with tubless then it probably won't hold air very well.

You can get a set of XT hubs laced to some Sun Rhyno rims for about $140 for the pair!! http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/12012-365_SHIXS3-3-Parts-75-Wheelsets/Shimano-XT-Disc-Wheelset-w_-Sun-Rhyno-Lite-Rims.htm

hey, thanks for the help. i guess i'll just leave it since i don't want to pay a couple hundred bucks for a new rim.
There's probably not much harm in riding it, but I'd replace it if it were me. Like telenick, I'm a bit anal about my gear.

I was going to post the same link a2 just posted... you don't need a couple of hundred bucks to just replace a rim.

ooh..im taking that into some serious consideration

I did a rim with a folded lip, inwards bad -other side out like yours.

I took vise grips and 2 small flat steel pieces and clamped the rim several times covering the warp area, carefull not to crush the rim wire bead lip.
The inside fold was hard, I use V rim pads too.

After getting the 'out' side perfect and the inside as good as I can, I sanded the surface 'flat'.

The wheel has a bit of a warp -will go to my mech, he'll clean up my job and true. $14.
The visegrip clamp worked o.k...be carefull if you try this.

The steel pieces should have a curve to match the wheel or be small. I think i'm going to build a tool, weld 2 small flat steel bars with curves to a vise grip.

I think you should definatly be able to make it better. It looks like the dent is small enough that is should bend back without cracking.
Often you can use an adjustable spanner to gently straighten out the dent. It won't be as smooth as a new rim but will be a lot better.

Next time pump your tyres up more so the rim doesn't hit the ledge.