ej23

Hi

About to buy some used Velocity Deep Vs with one flaw--the seam is open a little.


Was told this could be fixed easily by tightening some spokes. Is this true? Or should avoid buying the wheels.

Obviously I don't know much about this, so I was hoping someone with some expertise could give me some insight.

Thanks for any help!!

fietsbob

Now you know why someone else didn't like them and sold what You Bought.

as long as the brake pads dont catch on the seam it's adequate, put tape on the place you see the gap and ride ..

ej23

Interesting!

Thanks.

But is that fixable by tightening spokes?

HillRider

I'm not sure about how important this is but the seam is closed at the bead and open toward the hub so the gap isn't parallel. I think the rim was improperly made and just spoke tension won't close the gap without causing other problems. Also, the two spokes nearest the seam seem to be slightly bent where they enter the nipples and the whole wheel may have been damaged. I'd pass.

Dan Burkhart 

I'm going to guess it's a 32 spoke wheel based on the fact that the seam is flanked by parallel spokes. If you relace it so the spokes cross across the seam, it may help hold it together. of course this means the spokes will also be crossed at the valve hole which will make tire inflation a bit of a pain.

FBinNY 

Not so. The rim is already under tremendous compression and if the gap hasn't closed already, nothing you can do will close it any more. Unbuilt rims with gaps will close up when they're built (if they're not pinned), but any gap in a built wheel is here to stay.

OTOH- gaps aren't that rare nor are they usually an issue, so I can't speak to whether to buy or not. But keep in mind the seller's response to your question, and consider whether it's the result of lack of knowledge or an attempt to deceive you.

ej23

Thanks so much for the help so far. I'm definitely a noob here.

The price is 125 for front and back, with Phil Wood bearings.

The seller has been pretty honest and up front about the gaps, and have even gave me a link to sheldon browns article on machined rim sidewalls.

$125, is this reasonable? I figure I'll save $100.

FastJake

Does this wheel have some sort of a fairing on it? It looks really weird. I've never seen a gap like that. It's huge! I'd pass.

Jed19

Deep Vs are tough rims. I don 't see it failing catastrophically. I'll offer $80 and see if the seller bites.

FBinNY 

Two wheels, one forward of the other. It's easier to end up with wider gaps on deep rims because the greater length (depth) of the joint makes any error in the angle of the cut more obvious. If you look closely, you'll see that the rim is closed at the more critical brake track/spoke support area.

I suspect that the maker may have made a conscious tolerancing decision to err toward any gap being in the less critical "faring" area, though this is worse than average. OTOH- If the cut were at the other angle so the thin faring area touched first it would tend to buckle as the rim were compressed.

Personally, I wouldn't consider this gap an issue, though I might fill it with black caulk and blend it in for cosmetic/weather reasons. IMO- the only issue, based on the wheels and OP, is concern over the seller's credibility. If he'd said to me "that's just the way they are, and it's never been an issue" that would have been the end for me.

ej23

Well I'm going to cross my fingers and go with it .
Seems like a nice enough fella, so I'll give this one to karma......Or if not, it's go time! JK
karma's a ***** though

Thanks for everyone's help and help. So F'n cool to read so many responses. Very cool peeps these bicyclistas!!!!

CliffordK

Do you have access to a truing stand?

I'd throw the wheels onto a truing stand. If they have a bad hop at the seam... then PASS on them.
If there isn't a hop, then just taping over the INSIDE is probably fine.

It looks like the gap used to be covered with tape on the outside.

Scrodzilla

So you are aware...those are definitely not Velocity rims.

ej23

Really Scrodzilla? How can you tell?

Scrodzilla

Because I build wheels for a living and have never in my life seen a rim joint like that on anything Velocity has made and the finish on black Deep V rims is satin anodized, not painted.

Also, the profile on your rims looks slightly curved, where a Deep V is flat:

ej23

Well if you say so, Scrodzilla.
It's obvious you're the expert in these matters.

So in case anyone was wondering-No they are not Velocity Deep Vs.
Thanks for lending my your insight Scrodzilla!

BTW, Did you reach this conclusion, with or without the corpse paint on?
Do you build tires with the corpse paint on?
Is corpse paint required when verifying the authenticity of Velocity Rims?
Does the corpse paint contribute to your expertise in wheel building?

Personally, I'm all for corpse paint, at all times, and all occasions!
Thanks Amigo!

Scrodzilla

I've never built a tire in my life, donning corpse paint or otherwise.

ej23

Lol. Well what are you waiting for?

habilis

OP, please choose one:
1. You are embarrassed to learn that the wheels are not the brand claimed by the seller, or
2. You have been messing with everyone and trying to have fun at everyone's expense, or
3. Some other reason for your hostility toward people giving you the benefit of their expertise.