Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Question About Machining Non Machined Rims

Hey guys, I picked up a used bike from CL and it comes with some Velocity Deep V's (the red flame ones). The previous owner was running brakes on them and said they squealed like pigs. I talked to my lbs and the recommended some cork brakes so that the squealing would stop and still be able to use the brakes...

Now I was wondering, is that flame design just a sticker? I want to run at least a front brake (yes I know...but still) but I wanted to know, can the rim still be machined? Sanded ever so slightly to expose some metal?

Has anyone done this? I was seeing if it was possible to that I could repaint them and hopefully get a nice lip on them...

Thanks

Why don't you first try the cork brake blocks and see if that stops the squeeling. Your brakes will work regardless.

My dad "machined" his sidewalls, but his rims were anodized. I don't know about yours, though. But the person he bought the bike from used a rear break on a non-machined rim, so the sidewalls looked like crap. He just flipped over the bike, spun the wheel with the cranks, and held some sandpaper to the sidewall, just lightly taking off the anno. Then he took off the rim, and re-laced it to the front hub, so he had a machined front rim.

@tejano: well my lbs are selling cork brake blocks for about 25 for a set. I would rather just repaint the rims and "machine" off the lip and use the brakes I already have. If I did this all myself, I think I would end up spending less and getting the look I want. Thanks for the advice though.

@pedder: so a little sandpaper did the trick then? Did he have any problems afterward?

On the website, the rims I have are under the "Images" section but they dont say if its a sticker. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Yup! Worked perfectly. But remember, his rims were anodized, so I'm not sure if it'll work the same for yours. And he had no problems at all. If you do do it, just make sure you do it lightly, so you don't have any deep scratches or areas that are more sanded down than others, which which leave an uneven braking surface.

Start looking at your rim. Im sure you should be able to tell whether or not its a sticker just by giving it a once over.

Sell the wheels and buy what you really want.

Those designs on the rims are done with a special powdercoating process. Not sure how well it will sand. I have been toying with the idea of "machining" my front rim. It is a velocity "image' rim as well. Let me know if you try this.

Tape some sandpaper to the brake pads to take off the powdercoat, or just live with the squealing for awhile and it will come off anyway.

Those designs on the rims are done with a special powdercoating process.

False. Velocity uses a film transfer process similar to (or the same as) this: http://www.hydro-dip.com/

Essentially, it's a sticker... A big flexi one. I don't know how well it is bonded to the rim, or how thick/strong the material used is... but typically it is very thin with a transfer process. This is the same process that makes plastic pieces look like wood or carbon fiber on automotive interiors.

There's a chance that a layer of paint or lacquer is applied over the top of the film after it has been transfered. But not a powdercoat.

I wouldn't sand it. I also wouldn't be inclined to use brakes on it... but you said the previous owner has already done so. Is there visible damage? If not, maybe cork pads will be the way to go.

Once you brake through to the bare rim, by either braking or sanding, you risk the entire image peeling or flaking off. It could get messy and ugly... or it could all come off in one clean piece and you'd have a bare rim. Hard to say.

do flames make you go faster?

(sell them and get better rims that are machined)

False. Velocity uses a film transfer process similar to (or the same as) this: http://www.hydro-dip.com/


This is why I had the impression that it was powerdcoat.

http://www.velocitywheels.com/store/product.asp?pID=203

"This is not a decal or screen print on the surface. Images are vapor transferred right into the powder coating and become a part of the coating."

The sqeeling is likely due to the brake pads being installed wrong.

Non machined wheels have been sold for decades. It isn't a requirement. Personally, I would give the wheels a light sanding on the braking surface, and make sure my pads were toed in properly.

The squealing is from the image on the rim, but simply removing that doesnt make the rims "machined". A machined rim is roughed up during building to make it stop better. Removing the paint will stop the squealing, but it will not make the rim stop any better. Not that is a big deal, just a technical mistake that lots of people make.

The sqeeling is likely due to the brake pads being installed wrong.

Non machined wheels have been sold for decades. It isn't a requirement. Personally, I would give the wheels a light sanding on the braking surface, and make sure my pads were toed in properly.

BINGO! Post #13 is the winner.

This is why I had the impression that it was powerdcoat.

http://www.velocitywheels.com/store/product.asp?pID=203

"This is not a decal or screen print on the surface. Images are vapor transferred right into the powder coating and become a part of the coating."

hmm. touche.

I'm unable to find any real info about "vapor transfer" after a quick google. As far as I knew, the method I linked to was the only common/affordable way to wrap complex geometry with an image of some sort. It's used extensively in automotive interior and consumer product manufacturing.

Perhaps there is a similar method integrated into their powder coating process...

well i took a close look at the rims and no seams whatsoever. So yes, not a "sticker". I flipped the bike and cranked it a couple of times with some regular grit sandpaper (not too coarse not too fine) and applied some pressure. Nothing. It doesnt even look like it did anything. Maybe I need more pressure?

The previous owner had already braked with them and so the rims already have pretty bad scuffs on them. I took the bike to the lbs and they toed in the shoes correctly so the squeaking continues...not as bad though. I didnt buy the cork pads because they are too expensive (really though, they are too much for pads).

I suppose the only thing I'll do it just ride it out, see what happens then go from there.

And yes, the flames do make me faster...because I rather them blur out as people see them...to make me feel less self conscious. Just Kidding. :)