Advantages of Machined Brake Tracks?
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Advantages of Machined Brake Tracks?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of machined brake tracks? I'm just a humble commuter, not a racer or anything, and I'm wondering if its worth the extra money. I've search google but to no avail.
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+ Prevents brakes on a new bike from squealing.
- Unnecessarily takes metal off of the sides of the rim where the brakes will be wearing off metal anyway.
Bottom line: Marketing
Some reading on the topic: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/machined-rims.html
- Unnecessarily takes metal off of the sides of the rim where the brakes will be wearing off metal anyway.
Bottom line: Marketing
Some reading on the topic: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/machined-rims.html
Last edited by Shimagnolo; 06-15-10 at 09:34 AM.
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The machined rims do hold up to tolerance better than non-machined ones. I true my wheels to +/- 0.001" when new. The machined rim has more exposed surface area for braking vs. a smooth surface. Manufacturers usually add a little more material to compensate for final machining.
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Machined rims are smoother than pinned rims. All pinned rims, i.e. not machined, I've ever used have a slight annoying bump at the joint. Even after miles and miles of use along with removal of lots of sidewall material (braking wears the surface), the bump is still there.
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!