BlazingPedals

If a 6-year-old running into your wheel at low speed (about all a 6-yo can do) knocked it out of true, it wasn't the rim's fault it was the spokes'. Carbon rims are very stiff; you'd have to break one before it would bend.

highrpm

@BlazingPedals, it was definitely one of the spokes that got tweaked.


Based on everyone's responses, I think that I'll just leave my bike as is. True, I was looking for the carbon wheels as a way to lighten the bike up a bit. But the sensible thing to do now is just ride it and not worry.


My best plan now is to save up for a nicer bike, n+1, and buy that when the kids get a little bigger. By then, my current bike will likely look like it's been through a war if it keeps getting hit by kids!

Maelochs

I don't mean to sound like a little richard but shouldn't you be riding around kids so that you Don't hit them? otherwise you are training them to get too close and to expect collisions.

Fine if they plan to ride the pro peleton--might as well get reinforcing plates bolted onto their collarbones at a young age. But seriously ... you should expect them to do do dumb things on a bike at age six (I am nearly ten times that age and I do dumb things all the time.) But your job is Never to hit them, or let them hit you pretty much.

Not trying to preach but you make it sound like you expect a lot more collisions.

I say ... get some Spartacus hubs. They will learn to steer clear.

Cyclist0108

Maelochs

How many preachers do You know who suggest slashing children to bits with razor-blade hubs on your bicycle? Maybe we have different church experiences.

italktocats

save money
spend money on kid instead of a wheel

Seattle Forrest

^ But cats like carbon wheels.

italktocats

kids like cats too, get a cat!

highrpm

@Maelochs, the little guy ran into me. He was definitely not paying attention. You get three boys together and they start messing around, and these things happen.


I guess that I expect more of the same in the near future. Boys will be boys right? And that's why I changed my thinking on the carbon wheel thing.

BlazingPedals

To specifically answer your question, I think while a kid might be able to scratch a carbon fiber rim, he (she?) won't be able to break a well-built wheel of either aluminum or carbon. You definitely don't need carbon in order to ride with the kids, so I think your current plan is a good one: ride the current bike for now, save for a carbon N+1 later.

Maelochs

I can imagine having three kids swirling around would be pretty dangerous. Congrats for not crashing.

I still say a beach cruiser or something ... a $25 tank off of Craigslist with 48-spoke wheels which weighs 45 pounds ... laugh and dare them to hit you.

Sangetsu

For the mechanically-inclined, conventional wheels are better. They are user-friendly, and you can make most adjustments and minor repairs yourself. Good luck getting replacement parts quickly if your exotic bladed spokes get knocked out of whack, or you crack one of your rims on an obstacle or in a crash. With a regular wheel you can get yourself on the road again if a crash leaves it in the shape of a Pringle, and a competent shop will likely be able to get it true again. In addition to that, they're cheaper.