Originally Posted by
BCRider
That is dead meat on a stick. Get it replaced.
I tried to straighten a dented rim that was no where near that far gone and had no luck at all getting it leveled to my own standards. I tried about three times and gave up.
Replacing it is always an option, and he doesn't give that up if he tries to salvage it first.
I've seen much worse made to ride (but not look) as good as new. In short he has nothing to lose by trying to save it, except possibly destroying it when it might have been saved by a more skillful craftsman.
The absolutely worst possible outcome is having to replace it, which is where you're starting out in the first place. If nothing else, he can use it to hone his skills before replacing it. Who knows he might dent the next one, though not as badly and the practice will have stood him some good.