Do you guys think it's worth keeping?
The crack (at the center of the picture) is angled around 45 degrees, 1.5 - 2 mm deep.
The rim is Wobler Profil 20. Since it came with all original Schwinn Circuit 1988 (full Sante group although pretty worn), I'm really hoping for 'yes' rather than 'no'.
Sorry for the quality of the pic. That's the best one out of 50 I took.
Would you keep it?

If it's a crack, I consider it trash.

I'd toss it.

I concur. It's not repairable and will only propagate.

It looks rideable for now. Of course it may get worse, but then again, it may not.

Since the choices seem to be to either toss it now or (maybe) later, I vote for later.

Ride it until you decide you can't any longer.

Can't see anything from that pic 'cuz it's too fuzzy. Does the crack run radially or is it along the rim? If it runs along the rim I'd say the rim is toast. Does it brake smoothly or is the sidewall deformed enough that the brake pulses?

If the crack is purely radial, consider this. Rims are (or at least were) made by pulling the ends together but not necessary welding them, nor even pinning them to maintain alignment. There is LOTS of spoke tension holding the rim together. Jobst Brandt tells of an experiment where they cut a rim up into something like eight sections, then strung up a wheel with only the spoke tension holding it together. It worked just fine.

So if it trims up okay and if it brakes okay, you can probably use it in non-demanding situations. Check it OFTEN for the crack spreading. Check the rim straightness often. Don't trust your life on it descending the Pyrenees. If it grows, especially up into the spoke nipple surface, decommission it. At least you will have bought time while looking for a replacement.

Depends on whether or not your insurance is paid up or about to lapse, both life and health. If its a front wheel and its time comes best hope that its not at speed and/or in a turn. [MENTION=190941]jimmuller[/MENTION] has about the best thoughts I have read concerning cracked rims, above my reply.

I doubt it will actually be a catastrophic failure though, it will begin to lengthen with the stress a rim undergoes and it should be readily visible as it progresses. I'd be looking for a like replacement, if you want to keep your Schwinn as originally specced, or another set of suitable rims to lace up. If you are looking to change things out, a wheel set can be had either new or older. Be safe and best of luck either way you decide.

Bill

Thanks, Bill.

See, here's the issue with the crack direction. If it is purely radial the force holding the two sides together will be perpendicular to the crack surface. But if it develops any tangential component the force holding the two sides together will generate shear stress in the rim. That stress will ultimately extend the crack at the stress concentration point, i.e. the inner end of the crack. And if it extends into the inner wall of the rim it becomes a weakness against the spoke tension. Either of these last two scenarios could be catastrophic. The purely-radial case is relatively benign. But you need to make sure it stays that way.

Start looking for another rim now.

I would not worry about the wheel collapsing. I would worry about the tire blowing off. A fully inflated tire puts a lot of sideways pressure on the rim walls, and when a rim fails, its failure is sudden, loud, and catastrophic.

I presume the crack you see is a symptom of deep wear; your rim is used up. Sorry.