Pictures:
https://imgur.com/a/oXrZc

Hit a rock: popped tire and bent rim.
Can it be fixed? If so how much should I expect to pay to fix it?

Thanks in advance.

a rock? how big was that rock?

err... it was more like a bunch of rocks. I rode it on gravel...

Hi,

Somebody skilled with a (plastic) hammer might be able to make
it serviceable in next to no time, but I doubt anyone would take
that on as an official repair. New rim I would assume.

rgds, sreten.

I can fix that...the question is can your local bike mechanic fix it?

Thanks for the advice. I'll ask a few places before replacing it I guess.

Yes, This is the point.

Can be fixed, covers a broad range. Just about anything can be fixed, but can the local guy do it, how close to "good as new" can he get it, and is the repair worth the effort.

On the road, where it was an emergency, I could and would fix it. At home, I could still do it, but whether I would depended on other factors such as what this bike was used for. Lastly, if I had to pay someone else to fix it, it would depend on who, how well and how much.

As a general rule, the best place for a repair like this (other than DIY) is a bike co-op, or a "dirty fingernails" fixit bike shop where mechanics are used to doing what's necessary to keep basic bikes rolling. New wheels have gotten so cheap that most mechanics today would rather replace than repair.

As far as I can tell from the pix, I could fix it too. Basic approach would be to back it up with a flat bar and then drive the rim back using a hardwood or hard plastic drift and hammer.

That wheel is a POS. Replacement is your best option.

You can probably bend the edges back in and maybe remove some of the inevitable D-shape. It'll never be a perfect wheel, the brakes will probably tend to grab there, and you'll likely never get it perfectly true.

It'd work fine on a beater bike, if you want it for anything other than a beater, get a new wheel.

If it's a steel rim (check with a magnet), don't even bother with a soft headed hammer. Just beat it (gently) back into shape.

If it's an aluminum rim, you could try a soft faced hammer but don't expect too much. Aluminum doesn't like being bent too much and you've bent it a lot. A bend like that on an aluminum rim is probably associated with some cracks in the rim.

It may be beaten back into shape , if You're cheap and dont really care if its OCD round.

Hi,

I'm assuming its steel, and the real issue is the other side of
the wheel, not the bend in the rim flange, but an overall bend
in the rim, which looks likely. Might be fixable, or not.

Assuming steel rims I'd put a new alloy one on the front and
move the front steel rim to the back if anything, though a
used steel rear wheel should be very inexpensive.

Consequently I'd try to fix it myself, think I'd manage usable.

Though budget alloy wheels front and back make a lot of sense.

rgds, sreten.

Bicycle Research made a rim pliers for fixing dents in rims:



In my experience it can return a damaged rim to usable, but not "good as new" condition.

It can be fixed trued somewhat made to ride OK with a hour or so work from good mechaninic. From a practical purpose nearly any bike shop if your paying would replace it with a nicer wheel used $25 new $40. Figure half that or less at a friendly bike coop if you have one local.

I think you would be better off with a new/used rim. Of course , when I was a kid, and if it had coaster brakes, I would have taken a hammer to it