Trying to find replacement wheels for Alexrims DM21 Doublewall 559X18 6061T6
 

I have a diamondback tandem bike with Alexrims DM21 Doublewall rims. The rims have also show these numbers: 559X18 6061T6. I live on an island and my current rims/spokes have rusted out. I'm hoping to find replacement rims, but it appears these same rims are not available online. I'm trying to learn about rim sizing, but want to make sure I purchase the correct rims. Can anyone provide a few links to rims that would work as good replacements? I don't want anything too high-end as whatever I purchase will also likely rust in a few years. Thanks for your help.

Hello!

The 559mm x 18mm designation denotes a 'standard' 26" diameter wheel for a modern mountain bike or cruiser. The 18mm measurement is the width of the rim.

Any standard replacement wheel set will suffice; the more important factor is matching the rear hub to your existing drive train.

How old is the bike, and how many sprockets do you have on the rear wheel?

Thanks!

Alan :thumb:

The 18mm spec is the INSIDE width of the rim. The outside is likely to be 20-21mm.

=8-)

It's a 2005 Diamondback Wildwood Tandem (http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/B...ndem&Type=bike). Rear Cogs: 8-speed, 11 - 34 teeth. I've attached some photos.

I'm assuming I should get double wall rims due to the larger bike/more weight on the rims?

Would any of these rims at amazon? http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=...qid=1336336688

Thanks for your help.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=248729http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=248730http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=248731http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=248732
Jeff

On another thought...would it be cheaper to replace all of the spokes? Both rims are in pretty good shape.....it's just that a few spokes have snapped and several others are very close to doing so. I didn't want to replace a spoke every few weeks so I was thinking originally that it would be best to get new rims. But maybe I can get inexpensive spokes for both tires and pay for someone to true the wheels (i tried myself once and failed miserably).

Those are decent rims and they do not appear to be wearing out, provided they are straight when all the spokes are there and properly tensioned.

The usual reason spokes break is because the wheel was initially built with insufficient or uneven spoke tension. If it is a tandem with a few thousand kms, I would expect the spokes to give up eventually even if properly built, however I may be wrong. But if spokes are breaking, replacing all the spokes will make the wheel like new.

ANother option would be to purchase new complete wheels. You may want to consider having the wheels properly tensioned and stress relieved, or doing it yourself, when the wheels are new. Prebuilt wheels are usually built with insufficient or uneven tension and start popping sopkes after a few hundred kms.

Of the wheels on the link you posted, most would not work for one reason or another. This was the only one I saw that would work. But almost any 8, 9, 10 speed cassette hub 26" wheel will work.

Getting the spokes replaced may be your best option if the hubs and rims are in good shape, as any inexpensive machine built wheelset you buy will have to be properly retensioned and stress relieved anyway or it will break spokes soon enough, especially on a tandem.

I didn't look too closely, but do you have 36 spoke wheels? You'll definitely want at least 36 spokes on the rear.