I bought a used 2013 Jamis Coda Comp... to replace my 2007 that was stolen.

When it arrived from UPS in a bikebox, the back rim was completely bent- there is a huge flat spot and some bent spokes and it is basically useless- ridiculous bump if I ride it. I'm not sure if it can or should be repaired, but my guess is I may as well replace it.

Hopefully UPS will cover the damage or I'm in for a mess with PayPal and the seller- I don't think it was insured, but the guys at my UPS store said it will be covered for $100 automatically which hopefully is fair for a cheapish wheel and labor.

I've never bought a wheel before- this is an 8 speed cassette, the derailleur is Alivio. I basically use the bike for recreation- maybe a couple 10 milers in the evenings a couple nights a week and maybe 50ish miles on a heavy weekend, though I do have a rear rack have done some light touring/camping. I also pull a trailer and trail-a-bike often. I may also move to Seattle and would consider commuting- not an option at my current job. I weigh 165lbs. I obviously don't need anything fancy, but I like to get some bang for my buck and don't mind spending some extra cash for something that is a quality part. I also figure I'll go for a complete wheelset since I may as well go above the stock stuff which seems to be getting lower and lower quality as the years move on with the Coda line.

This is what was on there, I can figure most of it out
Alex ID-19 double-wall rims, 32H, Formula hubs

Any suggestions on what to get or what features to look for? Thanks.

There are a few different options, depending on what you want to do.

1) Repair the wheel: If the rim isn't pinched, but bent, it can probably be straightened and work fine. This can be done by a shop, or coop by yourself, and would probably run anywhere from $20.00 to $50.00, depending on what was needed.

2) Replace the Rim: If the rim is too badly damaged, but the hubs and spokes (mostly) are ok, the rim can be replaced, reusing the other pieces. This would cost you the price of the rim + the labor, probably not worth the cost unless you do it yourself, but probably in the $100.00 range.

3) Replace the rear wheel: A bargain wheel can be found at your coop, bike shop, ebay or wherever for less than $100.00.

4) Replace both wheels: Most bargain wheelsets begin at $150.00, maybe you could sell the front wheel cheaply to lower the cost some, but probably not by much.

The wheels are pretty cheap to begin with, if 1) doesn't work and you're not comfortable with 2), then you're probably better off with 3) or 4).

I think it is a goner- there is a tear in the rim around both sides of the spoke hole at the flattest point.

Your intuition is correct! If the rest of the wheel looks ok, I would be satisfied with replacing the rim only. Perhaps that single spoke as well, just to be safe. That rim is about $20.00 retail, so I would expect that if you or a shop replaced it with one of similar quality, it may only add up to that or $60.00 if you have a shop do it.

Most OEM wheels are rubbish this might be an opportunity to improve the bike.. I'd keep an eye on craigslist or Ebay for a set of wheels with an 8 or 9 speed hub and if it isn't already put an 8-speed cassette and call it done..

If you order another complete wheel, make sure it has the correct hub size, measured in O.L.D. road bikes are 130mm and mountain/touring/some-cross/some-hybrids use a 135mm O.L.D. spacing so make sure you get the correct one.

I will assume that it's a 130mm spacing. There are lots of good deals on Amazon and Ebay if you know what to look for. Velomine has some nice wheel sets for around $200 built around a Mavic Open Pro or Velocity A23 with Shimano 105 hubs.

The Mavic Tiagra / Mavic A319 set on Amazon is $150 for both wheels and is going to be quite strong and durable, as well as good looking, but on the heavy side; I think that is the cheapest I'd go for a wheel set.

If you don't care about matching the wheels, there are lots of great wheels in the $150-200 range. If you don't want to pay that much, I'd suggest just having the local shop reuse the hub you have and build something up on the cheap. Typical wheel building labor is about $40 plus parts.

Ben's Cycle on ebay has some beautiful anodized Velocity Fusion rims for about $25 a piece that you could have your local shop build up with the hubs you have, that would definitely give you some bling if you are into that. Just make sure you get a machined brake track with any painted rims (doesn't matter with anodized, so much).