Could I convert a straight side rim to a hook bead?
 

So I have been lurking this site since I just bought my new bike. Well old bike. It's a 1973 nishiki international. I am really liking how it feels, but I haven't done anything yet but oil the chain and read about every part on the bike that has a name to google and end up back at this site :). The wheels it has are araya 27x1 1/4 w/o hb. So they are straight sided, and I have spent the last two hours reading the woes of the straight side people...

I recognized many of the stuff y'all were complaining about, so I pulled out my old beater I used to ride and looked at the wheels, same thing araya 27x1 1/4 w/o hb. So that explains why I went through about two new tubes a month eh. Lol. I wish I cared enough back then to read things...

So I was thinking, and feeling the bead holder in a modern wheel. I'm thinking about getting out my Dremel and making a hook for the bead, or maybe even easier using some jb weld or some other epoxy to just run a bead right along the lip of the rim. What do you guys think? Any ideas on an easier way to do this? Or what of the two ways I've got right now have the highest chance of success? I have two sets of these wheels so if I ruin one its no biggie.

Thanks!

Oh and ill make sure to post some pictures of whatever I end up doing!

Fool's errand.

Don't. Extreme cheapskateism that ends in serious injury or death, is not good. Finding an upgraded wheelset for cheap on craigslist is a good example of cheapskateism that's good.

+1

I'm not trying to be able to inflate my tires to 110 or anything, I'm just thinking a little extra security so I could go to 80 or maybe even 90 pounds, but I've been reading anywhere from 70 to 90 should be ok as is, but I have dealt with this before and got frustrated.

also I don't want this fairly cheap bike to turn into a 600 dollar bike.

Welcome to the forum.

Please don't do this.

I'll put it this way.

An oral surgeon will be mighty expensive after the face plant.

Buy some like-sized Sun CR-18 rims and lace your old hubs into them..

There are many reasons it would not be worth it to do this.

So I should just keep buying tires that aren't made for the rims and inflate them to somewhere between 70 and 90 like everyone else is doing and hope the dont pop out while I am riding? Sorry if I sound like an ass by being sarcastic, I don't mean to.

But, Now that I think about it though the Dremel is a bad idea, cause it would effect the structure of the rim, but the jb weld I am thinking could give a little extra help in the prevention area as long as I stay within 90 pounds since that seems like the high end of what everyone says they go up to without problems with their straight side rims. I guess I just don't really see how jb welding a little lip would cause any problems that would put me at risk, the stuff sticks really well, and is flexible enough that I doubt bumps and vibrations would crack it.

Trolllllllll!

You can't be serious.

Did you read post #3? You can find an inexpensive wheelset with better rims. Also, you don't need to ride 27 x 1/4" tires at high pressures unless you weigh 250 pounds or more; riding at 80psi is cool, dude.

I've ridden on straight sided rims without issue. Maybe I'm just awesome?

Probably so - I mean, I've been scratching my head trying to figure out what he's been wanting to do. Now that I finally get it, wow. Just wow :)

OP: if you're serious - and are serious about keeping your face the way it is - please trust us and shelve this idea. Find a correct set of wheels; you'll save money in the long run.

DD

Just wrap those tires in electrical tape, lots and lots of electrical tape.

Well obviously you're awesome, and I guess I am too.

cmon, I just had an idea I thought I would run by you guys. Like I said the Dremel is a dumb idea. I just think that at the worst the jb weld would be a waste of time. I'm super poor right now and that's one of the reasons I got a bike so I don't have to buy gass, so yeah, in the hopefully near future I will buy some new rims, but right now I guess I just use regulars tires in my rims I have at really low pressure, no big deal I guess, and I'll experiment with my other bikes rims to see if it works or not...
thanks

ok I'll just ride with 80 pounds I don't mind, idk I guess I just had a bad Idea, sorry everyone

Good. You can thank all the above posters later.

No reason to get upset. Nobody here wants you to get hurt or ruin your wheels. If you are not sure about what to look for in a replacement wheel set, start a thread. Many helpful folks here will happily chime in. May even be someone looking to sell one. You never know.

If your International has center pull brakes, you may be able to convert to 700c and keep the same brakes.

80 pounds is comfy!

So for the people who have used straight side rims, in lots of the other threads about this some people say certain tires are better than others, even suggesting 1 1/8, what tires did you use and what pressure?

This is just a guess for how to create a hooked rim from a smooth rim. Unlace the rim. Use a TIG welder to weld an appropriately sized aluminum rod of the correct alloy to the inside of the rim, thus creating a hook. This newly created hook will need to be milled and finished to allow the tire to seat correctly. The rim will most likely need to be heat treated to correct whatever happened to the tempering as a result of the welding. The rim will also probably be wavy and wobbly from the welding. I don't know how to correct this, other than to buy a replacement hooked rim. Re-lace the replacement rim.

i, for one, applaud your initiative and imagination! don't let the naysayers and half-empty glassers discourage you. of course, you might be better served to attempt something more realistic and practical, like breeding a gentle pit bull (duck slings and arrows) or the like, but we all start somewhere. good luck.

I'm a big fan of Panaracer Paselas in the 27"x1-1/4" size. They're high-quality, look vintage, not that expensive, and are comfy to ride. I pump them up to about 60 psi in front and 70 in the rear. :thumb:

+1* (plus ~10psi for my weight)



*wire bead (non folding)