Originally Posted by
elcruxio
Since I'm going tubeless with all the rims the bead hook might not be 100% necessary. Then again it would be nice to have one so I planned on integrating two steel wires in the rim to create hooks.
The mold I planned on using would be a large round disc with machined outer surface to accomodate the rim form. The CF could be directly laid on the form to get the shape and tolerances right. After laying the CF I would add a pressure device into the mold (I was thinking a fatbike inner tube) and pump it full. Of course the mold needs to be shut with the tube inside as to create enough pressure.
Curing could be done in the sauna for a few hours.
Unfortunately this plan will most likely have to wait for till I actually have a job and paid vacation. So a year or two from now most likely.
Also one thing that does bother me with this is the availability of carbon fiber. There seems to be a relatively small market for high modulus CF in europe. Mostly CF is used by DIY'ers to make car parts (which do not require the structural integrity a bicycle component would need)
A few thoughts:
Tubeless uses hook beads and tolerances are even more critical.
A wire could mess up the heating. How will you keep it in place? I can guarantee it will migrate in the mold.
You need to lay up the rim before it is placed in the mold. Do some research on EPS foam cores. If you go this route how will you get the core inside the bladder?
How will you remove the bladder? You will need to factor this into the lay-up. I am also wondering about any possible reaction between the bladder materials and the resins.
What will the releasing agent be?
The machine steel required for a mold large enough to hold a rim will run into a few thousand dollars. Machining will add even more cost. You will still need sliders.
I assume you mean a dry sauna? Even then how will you control moisture and temps? Rims are baked at more than one specific temp for specific periods of time for specific reasons. Just tossing it in a heated room for a few hours won't work.
How will you finish the rims? They will require putty (or beadblast) and paint to avoid UV damage. You have to make sure that none of these materials react with the rim.
I would suggest you come up with answers to these questions before dropping a dime on prepreg.