Aluminum rims with knurled brake surface
#1
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Aluminum rims with knurled brake surface
I noticed that the aluminum tubular rims ( early '60's Super Champion ) on my Peschi are lightly embossed to create a textured surface, over years of use the rear one has been worn almost smooth but then the tiny multiple indentations do not go very deep - the sound made when braking is very reminiscent of a Peugeot UO 8 I had back in the day ( early '70's ) with the steel Rigida rims that had deeper and a more prominent pattern. I have not found this to be common practice on alloy rims, then again I imagine there are not too many original rims that have survived from the time period that mine were made.
Wondering how far back this practice goes - seems to have fallen out of favour by the end of the bike boom era. Also, will post an image of the decal that is on the rim, I have yet to come across other examples of this particular style. of logo though still looking.
Wondering how far back this practice goes - seems to have fallen out of favour by the end of the bike boom era. Also, will post an image of the decal that is on the rim, I have yet to come across other examples of this particular style. of logo though still looking.
Last edited by VintageRide; 05-25-18 at 07:18 PM.
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I don't know really. A lot of 1960s to 1980s rims had them, but like you say, it's usually steel rims. The older bikes I get here are rarely racers, and the trend was hub brakes or those push-down-on-the-tyre type brakes. A 1950s or older racer is few and far between where I live. Smooth wall aluminium rims are common though, as far back as the 1930's, they must have been made of good quality alloy; single butted and most are still in good condition. As mentioned, they almost never have rim brakes. It needs a bit of research, back then endrick and westwood rims were common. Give it a week or so and something will turn up. Aluminium have better grip, so I guess ridged walls never were that important. As an alternative brake block on difficult rims, Jagwire basic all weather compound works well and they aren't as expensive as the red and green ones.
Last edited by Mickey2; 05-25-18 at 05:56 PM.
#5
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I did find an earlier thread about the Model 58 clincher rim that had knurling - so depending on the application or perhaps the whim of the manufacturer it was somewhat prevalent, more on clinchers than tubular rims it appears, though I stand corrected if a more knowledgable member chimes in.
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I have seen Nisi tubulars with textures surfaces also.
Here we go...
https://www.velosaloon.com/products/...-rims-36-holes
Here we go...
https://www.velosaloon.com/products/...-rims-36-holes
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Akront & Weinmann are two others who made serrated tubulars.
Akront -
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/NogAA...lo/s-l1600.jpg
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/OpoAA...lw/s-l1600.jpg
Weinmann AG -
https://velobase.com/CompImages/Rims/...C04DD91B8.jpeg
https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.as...107&AbsPos=294
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Akront & Weinmann are two others who made serrated tubulars.
Akront -
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/NogAA...lo/s-l1600.jpg
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/OpoAA...lw/s-l1600.jpg
Weinmann AG -
https://velobase.com/CompImages/Rims/...C04DD91B8.jpeg
https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.as...107&AbsPos=294
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I call the Super Champion surface embossed. Some models of the Competition and the heavier rimes had that essentially standard. The light rims were smooth. I think it worked. Super Champion rims often did need a dressing with a file at the joint. We did it near the end of a wheel build.
Almost all rims required file work back then, save Martano that had machined sides, some versions even had concentric grooves in the machining.
Almost all rims required file work back then, save Martano that had machined sides, some versions even had concentric grooves in the machining.
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The MAVIC Montlhery model which came on so many Gaulic road machines of the '60's & '70's usually came through serrated.
https://www.velovilles.com/out/pictu...ifen-_1179.jpg
https://www.velovilles.com/out/pictu...ifen-_1182.jpg
https://www.velovilles.com/out/pictu...ifen-_1185.jpg
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The MAVIC Montlhery model which came on so many Gaulic road machines of the '60's & '70's usually came through serrated.
https://www.velovilles.com/out/pictu...ifen-_1179.jpg
https://www.velovilles.com/out/pictu...ifen-_1182.jpg
https://www.velovilles.com/out/pictu...ifen-_1185.jpg
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#10
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These are both Modele 58s.
The top one is a Super Champion and the lower one is a Wolber Super Champion- but both Modele 58

Paslea PT vs. Sand Canyon by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
The top one is a Super Champion and the lower one is a Wolber Super Champion- but both Modele 58

Paslea PT vs. Sand Canyon by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
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I think these were Mavic Sport rims. They came with or without eyelets.