Can I use recycled rims for a new build?
 

I have a wheelset where I want to reuse the rear rim and match it up with a flip/flop hub. In the past, the rim was bent after someone fell on my bike but after bringing it to a bike shop, they were able to true it pretty straight. So basically my question is, does anyone think that this same wheel can be rebuilt with a new hub? Or once I cut the spokes will the rim go back to its bent status??

thanks!

It's impossible to say with certainty without seeing the rim and knowing more about it. That said, I can't imagine using a rim that is already used and was once bent to build a new wheel. Nice new wheel deserves nice new rim.

Normally, the rim is the first component of any wheel to fail, either from cracking due to fatigue or from brake track abrasion. If your rim was bent and straightened later, that is even more reason to not reuse it.

My advice: get a new rim. It's the cheapest part of any wheel build and the most vulnerable to damage.

A new rim is cheap. Especially if the one you're considering using has been bent.

Buy a new one.

I think it's all relative to what kind of condition it's in now, how badly it was bent and how it was repaired. A good wheel mechanic can re-shape a rim with blocks of wood and a hammer if the metal was not fatigued much. Check around the spoke holes for cracks, then decide.

Al

If the rim is true now, it should be useable with a new hub. But, when you add up all the other costs for the hub and spokes, why not spring for a new rim. Unless the old rim is a high value item, you won't be spending much more.

If the rim has been re-shaped at all, with blocks of wood and a hammer, it's significantly weaker than it should be. It may work - especially if this is for a front wheel build (which is under less stress than the rear).

If the rim hasn't been reshaped, and isn't much bent (either out of round - you'll notice any flat spots with each rotation of the wheel when you ride - or side-to-side), go ahead and build it up again. Especially if it's for the front wheel.

I've rebuilt wheels with the same rim, but usually after I've had non-drive-side spokes fail on the rear wheel because the original wheelbuild had tension too low. Or because the hub failed for some random reason.

I believe they call that "penny wise and pound foolish." In normal English, we say don't be stupid. Rims are cheap.

Tim

In theory yes, in practice I would not. Wheel takes time and effort. Rims pretty cheap, if hub is ok then rebuild wheel with new rim

The cost of your time or a mechanics time far outstrips the cost of a new rim. Especially after looking at how many k's you'll be putting into this new rim before a rebuild.

My experience says that if the rim wasn't damaged too badly, you will still have a heck of a time truing it and getting the proper tension. My personal opinion is the extra labor needed isn't worth it. Buy a new rim.

I would get a new rim, but if you want to re-lace it, cut it out of the old hub, lay it on a glass table and see how badly bent it is. If the gap between the rim and the glass at any point is more than 10mm or so, it probably will not be re-usable.

I've built up many a wheel utlizing used parts (except nipples) with questionable past lives.
Haven't had a failure yet or received any complaints from those that I built the wheels for.

Enjoy

…but before you cut the spokes, release the tension by undoing the nipples a few turns at a time - if you just cut the spokes without releasing the tension, you run the risk of damaging the rim.

- Wil

If you are re-lacing it yourself, get a new rim. Saves frustration in the build and you will regret doing all that work to only end up with with a shiny new hub, spokes, and a banged up old rim. I know. I just did. :-P