Dent in rim--is it safe?
 

I just noticed a dent in my girlfriend's front R500 wheel. From the outside, it didn't look too bad, but I took off the rim to take a look at the hook. From the inside, it looks like the rim bead is fairly deformed. My inclination is to think that this wheel isn't safe or repairable, but I wanted to get some opinions from the peanut gallery. Thoughts?

It doesnt look too bad. If it was bent outwards rather than in, it would cause the brakes to grab. If a crack does develop the rim will be hld together by the tension in the spokes so there would be no catastrophic failure. You can make it better though the cautious application of a pair of vise grips.

Two thin pieces of wood - one on each side of the dent. Apply vice-grips very carefully and gently.

I've found a C-clamp is easier to modulate than a vise-grip.

I just had a problem like this on my '82 Trek 613. Can anyone tell me if this would cause a "bumpiness" in the ride? I mostly straightened it out using a chisel and a hammer, and the ride seems to be better now. But I still have 1 or 2 dents like this that are more minor.

If very minor, you could ignore it. But if it's on the braking surface - surgery will be required as above. Vice-grips or a C-clamp.

You know what? We need a rim-specific tool for this...Hmmmm...

Thanks for the "surgery" tips. What about the effects of this dent on the inner portion of the rim? Would it be possible for the tire bead to unseat at that spot? Any extra risks to the tube? Or am I just paranoid?

I ride a rim that was crashed hard. I took out the dent with a vice grip and wood as suggested and have been riding it ever since without any problem. This happened in 2005, so it's been a while already.

Here ya go...
http://www.bicycleresearchtools.com/rs1.gif

Great find! Thank you. My tool-set doth expand...:eek:

Yes, but how's that going to help with a dent like the OP had? It's going inside, not outside.

Does it matter? It's a B I C Y C L E - T O O L. Me want! :D