Mach42

I was on a fun group ride today when I wasn't looking down and my tire fell into this 1 inch deep crack in the pavement. You know, the kind that normally sweeps the bike away from under you and makes you crash?

Well, I hit it dead straight and didn't crash, but it did a number on my front rim.

Is this still safe to ride and is there any way to fix it so that my brakes don't click every time the gouge goes past?

Zinn-X

it's probably fine. just take a dremel and sand the gouge down a bit so it doesn't click on your brake pads. keep your eye on the wheel otherwise and make sure it isn't doing anything fishy.

if you're really paranoid you could take it into a bike shop for inspection, but i'm betting it will be fine with a bit of sandpaper.

Mach42

I was hoping to do that, but I'm worried about it being a starting point for a stress fracture. I don't want my front wheel buckling without notice sometime in the future when I will have forgotten or lost motivation to check the rim often.

I really don't want to get new rims. My employer is getting rid of part time positions and I'm outta there in a week and a half. I can't afford it.

Thanks for the advice, both given and forthcoming.

clausen

I did the exact same thing last year to both rims, cut both tires on the sidewall aswell. I filed the rim and it's worked so far, put 3000 KM on them. Make sure it's smooth otherwise you could poke you tire or wear out your pads quickly. I thought the same for the stress fracture and purchased a new set of wheels. I do use the damaged ones on the trainer and for the occasional ride but keep a close eye on that location and watch your tire pressure until you can afford new ones.

zekebobish

i hit some actually elevated concrete last weekend like some1 was carelessly pouring it when makin the road? blew my tire and did a number on my rim also... took it to the LBS n they said the wheel wasnt true any more? luckily it was a week old n under warranty, they swapped it out n i bought a new tube... id have the shop look at it to be safe!

Mach42

Ok, it looks like sandpaper is the affordable answer. I don't trust myself with a dremel. I'm a hack job with power tools and would probably put a huge dip into the rim.

I'll take the bike to a good mechanic that I know too.

I'm such a clutz. I'm so happy that I didn't hit that pavement joint off by a degree and wipe myself out.

VegaVixen

Egad! Late to this thread, but glad you didn't go down, Mach42! And you're not a klutz. These things just happen sometimes....

Sounds like sandpaper is the thing to do. And, as clausen suggested, pick up a new set of wheels as soon as you can afford it, and relegate these to the trainer, but keep an eye on the wheel in the meantime.

clausen, that's an interesting username. I loves me some Clausen Kosher Dill Pickles.

Mach42

I appreciate all of the great advice from you all.

Thanks, VegaVixen. I'm just being a little hard on myself because my bike was a bit shinier and less likely to self destruct this morning.

VegaVixen

I totally understand that sentiment, Mach42.

PhatRoadie

looks like it should be fine. i have a much deeper gouge on my ksyriums. i just sanded it down and have been riding it three years with no further problems.

fogrider

yeah, it doesn't look that bad, you might notice it when braking. if it really bugs you, get another rim and transfer the hub and spokes over. don't worry if you don't know how to true a wheel, keep the tension even and do the best you can and then have your lbs do the final truing. spokes should be replaced when rebuilding wheels, but that's when the wheel has lived a long life and the spokes are fatigued. I've done this before, align the new rim with the old rim (holes) and tape them together. start by loosening each spoke, start with one turn per spoke. I put tape on the spoke I start with. when the tension is about half what it was when you started, start to transfer to the new rim.

clausen

Pick yourself up a file at the hardware store. It will be alot easier than sandpaper.

slowandsteady

It should be fine. That is pretty much how my MTB rims look every 5 inches.

dcon

Did it dent/deform the rim at all? It didn't look like it from the pic, but I wanted to ask.

Mach42

Or I can just superglue sandpaper to an old pen tip and go at it that way. This is a time of necessity!

Dcon, no, the rim is not bent and is still as true as it was before.

dcon

Good to hear.