How bad is a rim flat?
 

Hi, This is my first post to bikeforums (ok, second after the introduction) so I hope i'm not repeating any previous stuff, or posting the wrong spot.

I have a question about a rim flat I recently recieved. My buddy banged the rear wheel rim into the curb, and now there is a flat near the stem. The local bike shop told me I could try to bend it back, or buy a new wheel for about $70. They said that bending it back wouldn't undo the damage, but was only $15 to try.

I have Bontrager Fairlane rims on a Shimano C201 hub. Is that worth $70?
The $70 wheel will be a Alex DM18 Rim witha Shimano RM30 hub.

Thanks in advance

Since your buddy bashed such a stout rim you might want to keep him away from your bike.
Since you're not running fru-fru racing wheels you might do well to try for a repair first, replacement second. While you're at it, make sure such a forceful impact didn't crack or bend anything else like your frame, fork, handlebars, headset. Either way your buddy pays.

Hi Mike, Thanks for your suggestions!

Heh, yeah, he won't be playing on my bike anymore. I'll take a closer look at the bike to look for cracks etc.

I wasn't sure how good my current rims where. I just know that bontrager makes bike stuff. I have no idea if Alex is any better. I'm getting the impression that its all fairly entry level stuff tho.
I took a pic of the rim flat. Does it look bad? I'm hoping it won't pinch the tube and bust it again.
http://s87062157.onlinehome.us/pics/rim.jpg

Thanks

Oww, that doesn't look too good. I bet the wheel is quite out of true due to this. Personally, I would replace the rim and retension the wheel. It is, after all, aluminum, and we know how good that is with fatigue. I'd rather ride a wheel I know is good, rather than risking running a rim that might taco at any moment.

On this set-up I disagree. Touring rims are built to take a bit more abuse and also some 'field repairs'. It may never be 100%, but, 90% may well be good enough for this application.

When you spin the wheel how much does it wobble?

Thank you both for your thoughts. Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Looking at the space between the rear brake and the wheel (with the bike inverted) it seems like the rim swings from 1mm to 4mm from the pad. Compared to the front wheel, the rear wobble is apparent. But fortunately, it doesn't rub against the pads.

Shoot for the repair and rule out high speed down hill runs just to be safe.

Take an adjustable wrench (cresent wrench) and set the wrench spacing width on a undamaged area of the rim. Slide the wrench down the dmged area rocking gently back and forth and that will help lift the dented area. Then lateraly retrue the wheel; but really it's kinda toast.

Yup, thats what the shop did (I don't have any tools). I went the repair route. The wheel doesn't wobble now, I looked at it on the trueing stand. A part of me thinks the rim is slightly flat around that area, but I can't really tell the difference when I ride, so thats ok for me for now...student life :P

My buddy will still pay for a new rim. I'll use the money he's giving me to get a new rim later, or just maintain the bike. My front brakes squeal and I want to get a chain cleaner like this one

Thanks for all your advice.