Rim failure - Should I replace the rim or wheel?
Hi all, new user here hoping for some good advice!
I was only about 100 yards from home at the start of a long ride on my LeMond Tourmalet when the rim on my rear wheel blew out, it looks similar to this (image is of someone else's wheel).
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/pcnotpc/sets/72157624638965317/
The wheels have done thousands of miles, so I good good value out of them. Clearly a new rim is in order, but I'm wondering whether I might just be better buying a whole new wheel? Ideally I'd like to replace it with the same model - a bog standard Bontrager SSR (24 spokes with a 9 speed cassette), but I'm struggling to find a new or used wheel/rim for sale anywhere for a reasonable price.
I'd consider myself reasonably knowledgeable about bikes, but I've never built or repaired a wheel before. I'll only be replacing the rear.
My options are:
1. Try and find the same model of wheel/rim, then pay for someone to swap the rims (I need it done quick and correctly).
2. Get a different rim, pay for someone to swap them
3. Get a whole new wheel
The priority is keeping the cost low, and having the bike roadworthy asap. What would you all recommend? Will the cost of having a new rim fitted make it as good value to buy a whole new wheel? Would a Shimano R500/R501 be an appropriate replacement?
Thanks!
I was only about 100 yards from home at the start of a long ride on my LeMond Tourmalet when the rim on my rear wheel blew out, it looks similar to this (image is of someone else's wheel).
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/pcnotpc/sets/72157624638965317/
The wheels have done thousands of miles, so I good good value out of them. Clearly a new rim is in order, but I'm wondering whether I might just be better buying a whole new wheel? Ideally I'd like to replace it with the same model - a bog standard Bontrager SSR (24 spokes with a 9 speed cassette), but I'm struggling to find a new or used wheel/rim for sale anywhere for a reasonable price.
I'd consider myself reasonably knowledgeable about bikes, but I've never built or repaired a wheel before. I'll only be replacing the rear.
My options are:
1. Try and find the same model of wheel/rim, then pay for someone to swap the rims (I need it done quick and correctly).
2. Get a different rim, pay for someone to swap them
3. Get a whole new wheel
The priority is keeping the cost low, and having the bike roadworthy asap. What would you all recommend? Will the cost of having a new rim fitted make it as good value to buy a whole new wheel? Would a Shimano R500/R501 be an appropriate replacement?
Thanks!
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Comments
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THe rim is 32 and not 24. The profile of the rim is similar to many shallow rims that you can buy cheap... Rigida Chrina pops to mind... 15-20 quid or so. The rebuild should cost 25 pounds in labour, but you can do it yourself, if you feel brave.
However, sometimes new wheels are just cheaperleft the forum March 20230 -
Quickest / cheapest may be just buying a R500 wheel complete. Ribble are often the cheapest, but not the quickest. Wiggle and CRC are usually very prompt despatch and I'm often pleasantly surprised and get stuff the next day.0
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THe rim is 32 and not 24. The profile of the rim is similar to many shallow rims that you can buy cheap... Rigida Chrina pops to mind... 15-20 quid or so. The rebuild should cost 25 pounds in labour, but you can do it yourself, if you feel brave.
However, sometimes new wheels are just cheaper
Thanks for the reply, I'll check out the Chrina.
The wheel in the image isn't mine - just a similar failure. Mine definitely has 24 spokes
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THe rim is 32 and not 24. The profile of the rim is similar to many shallow rims that you can buy cheap... Rigida Chrina pops to mind... 15-20 quid or so. The rebuild should cost 25 pounds in labour, but you can do it yourself, if you feel brave.
However, sometimes new wheels are just cheaper
Thanks for the reply, I'll check out the Chrina.
The wheel in the image isn't mine - just a similar failure. Mine definitely has 24 spokes
then no such luck... cheap rims only come in 32-36 hole countsleft the forum March 20230 -
Has the front wheel had the same use as the rear ? If it has, then it might be on its last legs also because braking is done (or should be) mostly on the front rim. So could be equally as worn and ready to fail in the same way.
The pictures you have linked to is what happens when your rim gets too worn from braking. The rim brake track walls become so thin (less than 0.9mm) and weak that it detaches and fails from the tyre pressure pushing it outwards.
You can check how worn the rim is if you put a something flat (like a ruler) against the brake track. If it is very concave or close to the rim in this picture then it needs replacing. http://biketestreviews.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/rim-wear1.jpg
Replacing rims,spokes + nipples (if they are fatigued,a different length or seized) then having them rebuilt is going to drive the cost up. Not really worth the fuss for an entry level wheelset.
You can get a Shimano R500/501 rear wheel for £55.
or
Ribble currently have a 10% OFF sale with the code 'SUM10' bringing a Shimano R501 wheelset to £60.25 delivered.
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/wheels-factory-built-wheels-factory-road-tri-shimano-r501-standard-spoke-clincher-wheels-pair/shimwhfr202
or Merlin cycles have a Rear wheel with a Shimano Tiagra hub and Mach 1 rim for £44.95
http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-tiagra-mach-road-wheel-sale-56012.html
You can also get rear wheels on ebay for around £40+ but they won't be up to the build quality of Shimano. Make sure not to buy any with solid axles. You want quick release/QR0 -
Sounds like an excuse to justify an wheel upgrade to me
FFS! Harden up and grow a pair0 -
if you've had good mileage out of them then i'd get a new wheel, replacing a rim on a factory wheelset is generally v expensive as not standard 32 or 36 hole rims0
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First up, the fact that the rim blew suggests that you were riding it well beyond the general guidance of prudence at 1mm and bin at 0.7mm. I bought a fairly cheap set of sprung calipers for measuring rim width for less than £20. Ok, so I don't need them very often but they do come in very handy when something objective is needed to back up that feeling of "I think these rims are looking a tad worn".
As posted, a cheap wheelset like the R500/1 can be had for less than £70 (Merlin Cycles, etc.) so, if you don't want to spend much, then just go with something like that.0 -
Or RS21 for only £80 from Ribble at the moment
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/wheels-factory-built-wheels-factory-road-tri-shimano-rs21-clincher-wheels-pair/shimwhfr373
New wheelset seems the way to go. I'd guess the other rim is pretty worn too if the first one went pop...?0 -
Or RS21 for only £80 from Ribble at the moment
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/wheels-factory-built-wheels-factory-road-tri-shimano-rs21-clincher-wheels-pair/shimwhfr373
New wheelset seems the way to go. I'd guess the other rim is pretty worn too if the first one went pop...?
Be warned, only the white ones are £80!0
