How Much Damage Can a Rim Take?

[Hacienda71]

I hit a pothole at speed last night and blew my inner with a classic snake bite. I changed the inner rode home, topped up the air this morning set off on my commute, four miles in bang. Checked and the tyre had suffered damage I hadn't noticed beside the road last night, more worryingly so had the rim. The dent is only about .5 to 1 mm and doesn't look like it will foul the braking surface. Should I just ride it like that?

 

[dan_bo]

Errr

 

[dan_bo]

Errr...

 

[dan_bo]

I would. But then I'm a bit of a boob like that.

 

[ianrauk]

No.
You will need to pull that out with pliers and smooth down with sandpaper.
But who knows if the integrity of the rim is still intact.

 

[fossyant]

What ian says. Pull it out but check for cracks. Ok for a lightly worn rim or nearly new, but a worn rim needs replacing. Bent both old and new rims before.

 

[Hacienda71]

It only has about 1000 to 1500 miles on so will have a go at pulling it out tonight.

 

[fossyant]

Should be fine. Needle nose plyer or adjustable spanner does the job. Then sand off the rough bits.

 

[Hacienda71]

Would you put anything between the pliers and the rim to avoid damaging the surface or just metal to metal? I have an inner tube with two big holes in that might do the trick.

 

[fossyant]

Old rag or old tube. Depends on the tool and if serrated edges. Dont rush it though. Bit at a time.

 

[andrew_s]

If it was my wheel, I'd probably just ride it as it is.
If it was too irritating through the brakes, I'd use a bit of flat steel bar (my chain whip handles,probably) either side of the damaged section and squeeze with a pair of mole grips.

 

[steve52]

some light peening,and yehaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

 

[Andrew_P]

I am just a big Jessie and would be forever wondering if it was weaker or more damaged than it looks. So on that basis I would replace it.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Apart from the bike rim, how are your teeth? That must have been quite an impact.

 

[Pdstubbs]

For a front wheel I'd change it.