Bicycle Mechanics - rim wear

Hey,
I've got an Open Pro front rim which is starting to slope inward into that concave shape. It looks pretty thinned out, I guess. Been riding on it for about a year, it's got plenty of mileage on it (commuting, messengering, some racing). My concern is that it will explode during a ride, become shrapnel and embed into my leg or something. So until I can get a new front rim (which looks like it'll be a while), is it safe to ride on the current rim if I don't use my front brake? Thanks for any advice.

wow that sounds like alotta wear for a 1 year old rim.... rims should last MUCH much longer than that. are you sure you don't have rocks or metal embedded in your brake pads somewhere??

Probably not, but will this comment really stop you from riding; like you said it’ll be some time before new rim? Meanwhile you can do what Delirious5 pointed it out. Check the pads for rocks or any metal objects that might be imbedded in to them. Cheap pads tend to suck everything in and it results in fast rim wear. I had a situation like that, just this summer. Thanks to forums I knew what to look for and fixed the problem before it was to late.

Honestly I would have your LBS check it out, it's not risking life and limb over a rim. Pickup a cheap new front wheel used or something to get buy to you can afford to get a good one or that one fixed. A wheel failing catrastophicaly in the front could mean a serious crash for you.

DON'T MESS WITH BRAKES!!!! If you value your life get it fixed, PROPERLY, now!!!

DO NOT RIDE. FAILURE IS IMMINENT,

Well worn rims is what the defense department uses to make C-4, I would get it check by a shop. (smile)

Originally posted by fixiechick
Hey,
I've got an Open Pro front rim which is starting to slope inward into that concave shape. It looks pretty thinned out, I guess. Been riding on it for about a year, it's got plenty of mileage on it (commuting, messengering, some racing). My concern is that it will explode during a ride, become shrapnel and embed into my leg or something. So until I can get a new front rim (which looks like it'll be a while), is it safe to ride on the current rim if I don't use my front brake? Thanks for any advice.


You probably could have the wall thickness measured to check if it is on the safe side, or you could also measure with a caliper the width without a tire and with a tire at 100-120 psi. There is a large interval between the time it starts to look concave and the time it's kaputt. Still, it's nice to change the rim beforehand for obvious reasons.

Now, I guess you have been riding year long, and winter, with road salt and sand is very hard on pads and rims. If you currently use Shimano or Dia Compe pads, I would suggest you use Kool Stop Salmon or Dual brake pads, which are more effective in foul weather... and wear the rim much less. And replace your pads before they are too worn out, because otherwise you brake with the little "bolts" that hold the pads in place.

Finally, if you have a shop dealing with used bikes/parts, check for a used front wheel. I bought one 2 years ago for a whopping $20 (i.e. $14 U.S.). With prices like that, it's easy to consider a front wheel as a disposable item. Rear wheels are much more expensive, even used.

Just convert to a disc brake set up, wheels, hubs, the brakes. Much stronger performance and next to no rim wear.;)

I had a mtb rim blow on me ten minutes before the start of a race. I was warming up in the parking lot and it blew the rim apart. Shortest race I never did!

I had raced on it for two years so it was my fault not for checking it . If that had happened flying down a hill it could have been pretty nasty.



You probably could have the wall thickness measured to check if it is on the safe side, or you could also measure with a caliper the width without a tire and with a tire at 100-120 psi.

How do you know what the tolerances are for your rim. Do manufacturers post these??