Bicycle Mechanics - Replacing the rivets (?) on my wheel

I'm working on relacing my first wheel, and I've come across a problem. The rims were stock on my 1986 Centurion I think (I'm the 3rd owner), named Matrix Titan.

The holes directly in the rim are larger than the nipples themselves, and so there is some sort of a rivet that the nipples catch onto with a smaller hole. The assembly at the rim goes:

Nipple
Rim
Rivet
Spoke
|
|
Hub

if that makes sense.

Anyway, is there a way to replace these rivets? Could I just use a washer instead?

I'm working on relacing my first wheel, and I've come across a problem. The rims were stock on my 1986 Centurion I think (I'm the 3rd owner), named Matrix Titan.

The holes directly in the rim are larger than the nipples themselves, and so there is some sort of a rivet that the nipples catch onto with a smaller hole. The assembly at the rim goes:

Nipple
Rim
Rivet
Spoke
|
|
Hub

if that makes sense.

Anyway, is there a way to replace these rivets? Could I just use a washer instead?

Are the "rivets" part of the rim, or are they lose? You might be referring to what's known as an "eyelet". They're what's shown in the two pictures below. If that's what you're talking about, there's no way I know of to replace them.

I had matrix titan s rims on a Trek and when eyelets began to fail, LBS told me replacing wheel was my only option.

Were the Matrix rims really original to a 1986 Centurion? Matrix is Trek's in-house brand of rims. My guess is they're not original to that bike. Not that it matters to your question.
In the future, it's much better if you can include pictures of something like this.

Are the "rivets" part of the rim, or are they lose? You might be referring to what's known as an "eyelet". They're what's shown in the two pictures below. If that's what you're talking about, there's no way I know of to replace them.

yep, it's an eyelet. thanks :)

I figured they weren't replaceable but I had to ask.



I had matrix titan s rims on a Trek and when eyelets began to fail, LBS told me replacing wheel was my only option.
hope not :( I can't afford rims atm, so I guess I'll try out my washer idea...worst that can happen is I damage the rim as far as I can see.



Were the Matrix rims really original to a 1986 Centurion? Matrix is Trek's in-house brand of rims. My guess is they're not original to that bike. Not that it matters to your question.
In the future, it's much better if you can include pictures of something like this.
I don't have any idea if they were original really. I bought the bike on ebay several months ago, the guy made no mention of it so I'm in the dark. I guess it's safe to assume they're off of a Trek though

I would've taken a picture but I don't own a camera. I would've googled one up if I had known what they were called :p but yea I definetely agree.


Thanks all
-phil

Yeah, I've got a rim with one eyelet missing, and I'm going to just build it up with a washer to spread out the force from the spoke nipple. Hopefully it'll hold. If I build it up for a rear wheel (likely), I'm going to make sure that the hole with a washer instead of an eyelet is on the non-drive side, where spokes have less tension.

just wanted to update incase anyone is interested :rolleyes:

I bought some washers from lowes, and ended up replacing 2 or 3 of the eyelets between the front and back (that fell out) with the washers. I had no problems from them while building or in the ~100 miles I've put on the wheels since.

I don't know how they'll hold up in the long run, but it defintely seems like a viable fix at this point :)

I'm a bit late to this party but there were several rims (without eyelets) in the past the used washers under the nipple flanges as a routine part of the build so you should be ok.

ah great, glad to hear I'm not doing something stupid :)