Are these markings normal?

peter413
peter413 Posts: 5,120
edited January 2011 in MTB workshop & tech
Please look at these markings, they do look worse in real life just the camera won't pick them up very well, new camera time :lol:

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There is actually a mark all the way between the two spoke holes on this one but the camera only picked up the worst bit for some reason

I may be fretting over nothing but they look like stress markings to me and I'm a bit worried since some of them are covered in marker pen suggesting they are trying to cover them up? I have never had these markings on any other rims.

I only noticed them today since the rim tape is crap so I took it off to replace it and noticed them

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    try moving away from the wheel and get some focus. (and edit the picture later)

    no idea what you are looking at.

    yes the marks on your carpet should brush up.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • peter413
    peter413 Posts: 5,120
    The silver markings in the rim, suppose they look a bit like light reflecting but it isn't
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    better pics.

    what are the rims?
    what is the finish?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • peter413
    peter413 Posts: 5,120
    Can't get better pics, the camera's not wanting to focus properly for some reason, probably doesn't help that there is a small scratch on the lens

    They are the Superstar DH (same as Alex FR rims I'm sure) and the finish is red anodizing
  • delta5
    delta5 Posts: 265
    I think your camera is either auto-focussing on your shoes / background / carpet, or just can't focus close enough to get the rims in focus at that distance. Its a common hassle with auto-focus cameras.
    To overcome this:
    if it has a 'macro' mode, use that for close-ups,
    or allow more distance and make sure its focusing on the rim and not on the background,
    or use manual focus (best option if it has that capability).
    My abundant supply of MTFU is reserved for use in dry, sunny conditions.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    peter413 wrote:
    Can't get better pics, the camera's not wanting to focus properly for some reason, probably doesn't help that there is a small scratch on the lens

    They are the Superstar DH (same as Alex FR rims I'm sure) and the finish is red anodizing

    move the camera away for what you want a picture of.

    from the info you have given I dont see any issue.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    I see no issue either. Very rare to see any rim without some superficial marking from the build process anyway.
  • Im struglling with the pictures as well :D but if its just rub marks the could just be thin anodising
  • cavegiant
    cavegiant Posts: 1,546
    macro or document mode on the camera is your friend
    Why would I care about 150g of bike weight, I just ate 400g of cookies while reading this?
  • peter413
    peter413 Posts: 5,120
    Tried most of the modes already TBH, it's not doing as well for normal shots as it used to, think it's time for it to be retired but dad refuses to admit this :roll:
  • stu8975
    stu8975 Posts: 1,334
    Most phone cameras will take a good enough photo..if you have such a thing :wink:
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    If it'll not focus on the wheels, then focus on something else the same distance away and move the camera to point at the wheels. can't really see anything in these but some marks on the insides of a wheel are pretty normal, after all people don't usually look at it so they wouldn't neccesarily prep the surface for anodising as well- you could get light and dark marks easily.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • I cant see from the photos but that location looks to be where the rack which holds the rim in the anodising bath touches to make electical contact. This patch will not get the same level or any colour in the anodising process as the dye cannot get to it.

    Its perfectly normal and is not a fault.

    Neil (Superstar)
  • peter413
    peter413 Posts: 5,120
    I cant see from the photos but that location looks to be where the rack which holds the rim in the anodising bath touches to make electical contact. This patch will not get the same level or any colour in the anodising process as the dye cannot get to it.

    Its perfectly normal and is not a fault.

    Neil (Superstar)

    Not sure it's this, it's in completely different places on each of the rims and they all vary in size, quite widely in fact, just the damn camera refuses to focus properly and show them properly as I said. Maybe I will try the phone camera but there's already rim tape back on them which isn't re-usable so would rather not take it off
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Use the macro mode or close up on the phone.

    But I still think you are worrying about nothing.

    Other marks can be caused from bottoming the tyre on the rim - what pressures do you use?
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    Could have a look on saturday assuming you're coming to trailbuilding? But I think you're worried about nothing tbh, and too young to be paranoid ;)
    Uncompromising extremist
  • peter413
    peter413 Posts: 5,120
    Pressures vary, in the front it varies between 15-35 psi depending on how icey/snowy it's been recently and the rear is never less that 30 psi, I have never bottomed the tyre out on these rims.

    Northwind, you really think TF is going to be on this weekend, there was about 5 accidents around there yesterday and they still aren't allowed out in the forest since a 4x4 wrapped itself around a tree :lol:

    Like I said, new rim tape is on now so no more piccies until Northwind gets a look at them, maybe his camera can get them, I used the macro mode on the camera but my phone doesn't have a macro mode I'm sure
  • 02gf74
    02gf74 Posts: 1,171
    I'm just as puzzled. These marks - is this where the rim is not as red?

    then it is the anodizing wearing away or not being too great to start off with.

    .... but this is all inside the wheel so you won't see it, think of it as a few microgrammes less weight.

    by the way, I have same colour of blue carpet in my garage :)