Rim cracked - will it survive a race?

medoramas

Hello,

My wheels are Mavic XC717 on Deore LX hubs. They are non-disc ones (the bike is an old school Marin IFT '93, pre-disc era...). Few days ago I had a nasty (for the wheel) accident - an 80mm screw punctured it when I was doing about 25 mph on tarmac. The tyre got flat instantly - the screw got into it quite deep, it stayed there until I managed to stop. You can imagine it took a while... So having the screw between the rim and the road couldn't end up any good. The rim cracked, as you can see on the pics: it's near the valve hole (where the f***n' screw was...), cracked inside and on one outside wall (braking surface).




It's no doubt the rim transplant needs to take place. But I'm racing on Sunday, not enough time (and cash at the moment...) to do anything about it.

I've got two options: use a cheap and heavy spare wheel I've got somewhere around (it's the £29.99 wheel from eBay, you know...) or risk and use the 717 for the event (lowering the brake pad so it attacks the rim below the crack). What do you think? Would the wheel survive an XC race?

Thanks...

nicklouse

i would not use it.

andrewjoseph

not worth the risk in my opinion. you can finish on a heavier wheel so stand a chance of a good placing.

you might be in hospital with a cracked one.

thistle_

Looks quite extensive, I wouldn't use it personally.

Could you borrow a wheel off someone for the race? If you order a new rim through your LBS and pay them up front to swap it they might lend you another one until it's ready.

Clank

Bin the rim - it's goosed. Lowering the brake pad to clear the crack could be suicidal too - just t'ain't worth the risk.

Going to be a case of man-up and use the cheapo share wheel.

Hope you have better luck at the race!

medoramas

Everyone else uses disc brakes around here, it's just me who still rides 20 years behind (not to mention 0 suspension)...

I've fitted the cheap one. Doesn't look too bad, I only hope it will take the beating (it's a single-walled rim, no chambers and stuff), but seems to be quite strong: 36 spokes, almost 2x wider than 717. Just a bit heavier, but hack that - you're right: I'll better enjoy riding, than waiting for the hospitalization...

BTW, any idea how much does it usually cost to replace the rim?

benpinnick

It will cost the price of a rim + spokes (maybe) + about £20. The spokes is a maybe as they might be ok to reuse, maybe not.

njee20

Get a matching rim and you won't need new spokes. Tape new rim to old and swap spokes across one by one (having taken tension out of them all before). You'll need new nipples, then just get a shop to do the final true.

I'd not ride that if you paid me.

medoramas

njee20 wrote:

Get a matching rim and you won't need new spokes. Tape new rim to old and swap spokes across one by one (having taken tension out of them all before). You'll need new nipples, then just get a shop to do the final true.

I'd not ride that if you paid me.

OK, to match the rim is it just the ETRTO size I need? I've looked on Mavic's website, maybe I'd get something more sturdy on the back...

The Rookie

I'd ride it (slowly and not far) if you paid me, but not in a race I was trying in!

mrmonkfinger

medoramas wrote:

OK, to match the rim is it just the ETRTO size I need? I've looked on Mavic's website, maybe I'd get something more sturdy on the back...

Why not get another XC717?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=3439

njee20

If you match the ERD number (ETRTO's about tyre standardisation, 26" rims will be 559mm) you won't need new spokes, but as above, I'd just get another XC717.

stubs

Depends on how much you really hate your teeth and want new ones.

pylwagl

This is what happens next.





I'd bin it if I were you

HTH

Stu