Bicycle Mechanics - Ride with a kinked rim?

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mikemck
10-01-06, 10:35 AM
Not having any bike at all to ride since I sold the bikes that were too big for my size, I picked up a Mongoose Dx 3.3 off of craigslist for $20, just until I could find the bike I was really wanting.

Bike is in great shape, and rides great, but the rear rim is kinked. I was also out of true, which I corrected, but the kink is beyond me.

What I'm asking is, is it literally unsafe to ride with a slightly kinked rim, or just not a good idea. I'm not worried about damage to the bike obviously, but I don't want it to fail and send me rolling either...

wrench
10-01-06, 10:45 AM
Slightly kinked is ok but if severe then you stand the chance of the tyre bead coming unseated, leading to a blowout. Dodgy if its a front wheel! Your local bike shop should have the tools and knowledge to straighten it.
erader
10-01-06, 11:39 AM
Not having any bike at all to ride since I sold the bikes that were too big for my size, I picked up a Mongoose Dx 3.3 off of craigslist for $20, just until I could find the bike I was really wanting.

Bike is in great shape, and rides great, but the rear rim is kinked. I was also out of true, which I corrected, but the kink is beyond me.

What I'm asking is, is it literally unsafe to ride with a slightly kinked rim, or just not a good idea. I'm not worried about damage to the bike obviously, but I don't want it to fail and send me rolling either...

JFR! no problem.

ed rader

Shaman
10-01-06, 12:29 PM
I once kinked a rim on a sharp concrete edge with low tire pressure. I fixed it with a plastic headed hammer by removing the spoke at the kink and beating it into submission. Everything went back into shape; reinstalled the spoke, and never had a problem with it since.
Shaman
10-01-06, 04:25 PM
What ever you do don't use a hammer and some flat steal and hammer it back you will end up with a massive crack i did that and had to get a new rim for 150
I guess that all depends on the severity of the kink and the finesse you put to the blows. Maybe I just got lucky. Couldn't see the kink spinning the wheel nor feel it on the brakes afterwards. It was either that or replace the rim (the thud-thud-thud was not an option) so I had nothing to loose.