Carbon wheel damage
 

Hi all,

> riding near road work
> squeezed into divot/crack in road by traffic
> side of carbon wheel scrapes divot
> damage (see pics)
> take to 3 LBS' (including authorized product dealer)
> "structural integrity not damaged" "wheel is fine" --> "use some nail polish and sandpaper"
> evaluating options such as Bontrager's carbon replacement program
> Thoughts/opinions?

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You bought it, ride it.
Put some glue on it and ride.

+1

You went to 3 shops including the authorized dealer and they all independently said it's OK to ride, and suggested only some minor mostly cosmetic repair. How do you expect us to say otherwise based on only 3 photos when they had it in their hands.

However, even if you came straight here and didn't mention the prior advice, mine would be the same. It's very minor mostly cosmetic damage, clean it up (or don't) and ride.

I appreciate the call-out, seriously. Not entirely sure what I was thinking, perhaps just wanted to see what some other roadies would do if in my situation. Peace-of-mind achieved; I do appreciate it!

Touch it up with urethane varnish or epoxy from Ace Hardware,

Try the coin trick that they use to evaluate frames.

This works because the acoustics are different between sound and damaged carbon. Tap a coin along the rim in the undamaged and scraped areas. If the pitch lowers near the scrape, there is structural damage. Otherwise it's likely just superficial.

This is exactly the test that the mechanic at the "Certified Bontrager Dealer" did during his inspection and before telling me that it was fine. Thanks for the input - I will definitely remember it in the future!

I'm sure it probably seemed like hocus pocus at the time but now you know what he was doing.

It does appear to be a pretty deep scratch above the "G" in the 3rd photo. I'd probably fill it with a black plastic epoxy, then sand/file smooth once dry. The other places can be touched up with black enamel if you wish, or left alone.

Keep in mind that carbon fiber is merely plastic with a fiber support.

Next time be sure to listen more closely to the voices of experience.

It's fine. I would just ride as is.

haha, will do. can't you see my status as "newbie?" :)

thanks for the replies, all!

The only part that would concern me is the tire in the third picture. It looks like there is a small bulge in the tire right above the damaged part of the rim. If that's the case, I would replace the tire.

I like to think about it the opposite way; it is a fiber structure (wherein lies the strength) with a supporting resin matrix to bind and protect the fibers and help distribute the stresses.

Either way I would ride the wheel.

Yeah, the guy at the LBS noted that as well - said it is fine to train on (and that I could use some superglue to fill the gap) but would likely want to replace it before racing on it.

Sidewall bulges = replace tire in my book...