Originally Posted by
RicR
While I had the tire and tube off the rim I noticed that the rim strip was only a thin piece of rubber sort of like a large rubber band around the rim. I think I need to replace this with something better. Also noticed the rims feel nice and light, but wonder if they are durable. I guess time will tell and something I will watch, but wondered what your thoughts of the stock rims are, as I am certainly not an expert? Also, While mounting the wheel and spinning it to be sure it was centered between the brake pads, I noticed it has gotten out of true quite a bit in the 470 miles I have ridden it thus far. So much so that I had to back off the adjustment at the brake lever all the way for the tire to rotate fully without rubbing on the pad. I called the shop where I bought it and I'm taking it in Tuesday and get them to true the wheel and check all the adjustments while there. A length of rope is also on my shopping list for tomorrow. Thanks for the feed back. Ric
Ric, that small piece of rubber is typical for a rim strip. All it's there for is to keep the tube from rubbing against the spoke nipples. I've been told that the wheels on my bike a Velocity's. They are double walled and aluminum. The only markings on the wheel is a label that says "HJC alloy 6160-T6". I know that the 6160-T6 is the aluminum alloy the wheels are made of. I don't know what HJC stands for. I've been thinking about building new wheels for the bike using Velocity's A23 wheels. I have no problem with the wheels that are on the bike but just want to build a set with better hubs. Haven't figured out which hubs to use yet. I want something better than the Shimano Deour LX hubs but at the same time something easy to work and easy to get parts for when on tour.
If you have the same wheels, then I don't think you have anything to worry about. They are good wheels. I'm having the same problem with the trueness of my wheels. When I put the new brake pads on, I noticed that both wheels are just a little out of true. I'm going back to the bike shop on Thursday and will have them take a look at them then.
Bob