bulge in rim

[MattDB]

As I continue my restoration on my old bike I've now ridden to work for two days. Very steep hills and the brakes aren't great so planning an upgrade to some better pads however I've come up against another issue:

When using my front brake there is a jarring that is really intense when braking hard. It seems to be causing loosening of the brake arms. I assumed that the wheel needed trued but on closer inspection there seems to be a small bulge in the rim. The wheel (chrome) seems in otherwise decent condition but I'm not sure what my options are - could I tap this out with a hammer?

While inspecting this I noticed that there is more room between wheel and fork at one side than the other, I've checked the wheel nuts which had come slightly loose but it seems that the wheel isn't properly squared, only thing I could think of was the axle - or could the forks be slightly bent?

As always, any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

All the best,

Matt

 

[andrew_s]

The usual way to get rid of a bulge in the rim is to squeeze it out with a G clamp. It's more controllable than a hammer. Use a longish block of wood on the opposite side to squeeze against.

If you think the brakes are bad now, wait until it rains :-)

 

[Cycleops]

An opportunity to swap them out for some new alloy ones I would have thought, bearing in mind the comment from @andrew_s. Looking from behind check the wheels line up.

 

[MattDB]

Thanks guys - I wish I'd never seen this bike!

Yes perhaps some new rims - any suggestions for rims on a budget?

 

[Globalti]

Go and see what your LBS (local bike shop) has got in stock, good shops have always got an odd selection of old wheels and rims hanging from ceiling hooks waiting for someone like you to walk in.

 

[02GF74]

chrome rims would mean the rims are made of steel; you can tap the bulge flat.

re: wheel being asymetrical in the forks - have you fitted it other way round? If the gap moves to the other side, then the rim is offset to one side (poorly assembled), otherwise the forks are out. If it really bothers you or you can feel the bike steering to one side, then loose spokeso n one side and tighten on the other to pulll the rim over.

 

[flyingfish]

Sorry to jump in but I have noticed a bulge in the rear wheel rim of my daughters old mountain bike. This is on the join in the wheel. Does this mean the wheel is a write off?

 

[MattDB]

Cheers guys, tried a g-clamp but struggled so tapped it out with a hammer. Alarmingly pliable! Not perfect but can only be better while I source replacement wheel / bike.