Utility Cycling - Powdercoating factory BD wheels?

So I am having the factory wheels on the Big Dummy powdercoated but the builder told me they do not recommend it due to some rubber grommets on the wheels that the nipples go through. They said the wheel spokes will work loose prematurely. Can anybody tell me more or give advice? Maybe the grommets are too hard to remove from the wheels before powdercoating? They have to disassemble the wheels, get them powdercoated and reassemble. I have not seen the bike or wheels yet since its still being built. I got the BD Complete so this question is just for the factory wheels Surly uses. By the way are the factory wheels painted, powdercoated or anodized black? Thanks!

The wheels in question have painted rims and a machined braking surface. They do not have any sort of rubber grommet on them. They do however have brass eyelets that have been "riveted" into the aluminum rim. These provide extra strength and prevent the spokes and nipples from pulling clear through the rim (heaven forbid).

Your best bet would be to have the wheels broken down and the rims alone powdercoated. This is going to be difficult, as the eyelets need to be masked to prevent the contact points and inside of the rims (bead hook, etc.) being coated as well.

What exactly are you looking for in the wheels? If you're trying to get cool, colored rims, check out the Velocity VXC rim. Have your local shop build you a new set of wheels with those rims and hubs of your choice and be very happy with a factory-fresh solution!

Velocity VXC rim:
http://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=601

Color palette:
http://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=550

what exactly are you looking for in the wheels? If you're trying to get cool, colored rims, check out the velocity vxc rim. Have your local shop build you a new set of wheels with those rims and hubs of your choice and be very happy with a factory-fresh solution!

+1

Thanks for the reply Oldfolksmashers. I am getting the frame and forks powdercoated along with the V-rack and kickback. I figured I'd have them break down the wheels and powdercoat the rims the same color since everything has to go into the booth anyways. So according to your description the brass eyelets and the inside of the wheels cannot be powdercoated? Thanks for the links to the Velocity VXC wheels but since the BD complete already comes with the wheels I'd rather not go that route.

So the concensus is not to powdercoat the original BD rims? Anybody want to chime in? I need to let the builder know what to do. Thanks.

It would be less effort and a better result to just get rims in the desired colour and lace them into the wheels you get on the BD.

I agree with Vik. I have often had wheels built in a specific color. Much higher quality with less risk in bad things happening....

Thanks for your advice ya'll. I'm still new to the custom bike thing and never had wheels taken apart, painted and reassembled. Just did not know what powdercoating would do to the nipple holes. Thanks again.