crack on openpro rim (braking surface), is this common?
 

I know it's common for these rims to crack at the spoke holes, but I got a crack on the side, right along where the tire bead is seated. 32 spoke laced to a powertap hub. Just under a year old with 6,500 miles. I run a 25mm gatorskin @~105psi on the back and weigh about 180.

I noticed my rear brake catching on my rim a couple weeks ago, but figured it was just getting out of true or catching the weld or a rough spot. It was much more noticable on my Saturday ride and I finally checked it and found the crack running along the braking surface, pushing out pretty far (like the pressure from the tire was making the crack spread). I'm glad it didn't explode...

Is it more likely a manufacturing defect or me running over something? I don't think I've run over anything recently and there is no sign of impact (no inward dent). I did have a pinch flat on the rear from a pot hole last winter, but it didn't seem like a significant impact at the time. Is it possible it took 10 months to have a problem from hitting the pot hole? Common issue with OpenPro's or not?

How many miles on them and in what conditions? Likely the braking surface has gotten really thin from wear and the rim should be replaced.

under normal conditions, it's prematurely worn. but not if you ride lots in the rain, on dirt roads, through winter, etc.

I do ride in the rain, but don't really use my rear brake that much. The braking surface looks good (and thick where I can see it at the crack), but maybe it's just worn down very evenly and it's not as thick as it once was.

"How many miles on them and in what conditions?"


Way to read the post before answering. LOL

This doesn't necessarily mean that that's all the miles on that rim. Lots of folks buy used stuff and rebuild to suit their needs. I prefer not to make assumptions on that score as they're often wrong.

If that's all the mileage on the rim, it's still possible that you wore it out. Get a bit of pebble or debris stuck in a brake pad and you'll wear out a rim quick. Or even just pick one up for a moment, you could certainly score one spot on a rim and it will fail there.

Buy a new rim and have your wheel rebuilt.

That pressure is higher than necessary, but not high enough that it should cause problems. Hard to say for sure if it's worn out or a defect. I would bring it to your LBS, but I doubt Mavic would replace it for you.

Way to try to cover up for not reading the original post. LOL even harder now.

*sigh* way to act poorly to someone offering up an opinion to try to help with your problem.

If the crack runs longitudinally I would say it's from braking surface wear. Pics would end a lot of speculation though.