Should I be worried...?

[ChrisEyles]

While I was cleaning up my bike this evening, I noticed a few marks on the rim around the spokes. It looks like the spoke tension has caused either the paint on the rim, or the rim itself to start splitting.

Please someone tell me I don't need to worry about this!

 

[I like Skol]

Yes, you need to be worried. It is time for a new rim or new wheel, that one is fubar'd and will only get worse. What make is the rim, not something beginning with A by any chance?

 

[mrandmrspoves]

You don't need to worry about it!
(You do really - but you asked for us to tell you there was no need to worry)
New wheels will solve this issue.

 

[festival]

If you are on a very tight budget and only cycle a couple of hundred yards to the pub/post office/train station etc
In which case keep a very close eye on any increase in damage.
Otherwise change wheels now!

 

[jonny jeez]

I rode with a spoke that had completely cracked the rim and pulled out a small section of rim with it. I got home from a 50 miler. So yes worry and change it ASAP but you can still ride home from work if you are in a hole.

 

[ChrisEyles]

Thanks all for the helpful feedback - not really what I wanted to hear but I guess it's time for a replacement rear wheel. This bike is the commuter so it sees a fair amount of miles and abuse.

I'm not sure what the original wheel was (it came as stock with the bike, a 2014 raleigh royal), other than that the rim is double walled. I'd guess it's probably done around 5,000-6,000 miles or so.

Any ideas what might have caused the problem (it is on quite a few of the spokes, maybe as many as a third)? Excessive spoke tension comes to mind as the most likely culprit... but would this be enough by itself?

 

[I like Skol]

Cheap rims made of cheese! My hybrid commuter suffered the exact same problem after 1800 miles. The wheels were replaced under warranty but the replacements proved problematic for other reasons so I bit the bullet and built my own set which have so far withstood 10,000 miles of abuse without so much as a nipple tweak.

EDIT: I bought mid range Mavic rims so right in between cheap as chips and light but fragile.

 

[Crandoggler]

I'd investigate further, personally.

It could well be that moisture has found its way under the paint and corroded the rim, cracking the paint in the process. It could also be that your rim has cracked. Spend 2 minutes removing the paint if you can. Might save you a quid or 2.

 

[ChrisEyles]

@Crandoggler - off to do that right now, good idea.

 

[ChrisEyles]

Sanded off the paint over a couple of the cracks, and they definitely go through the aluminium of the rim

Most cracks are on the drive side, which I guess also points to excessive spoke tension... I also normally run 95psi over the occasional pot-hole, which I guess won't help.

Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced, nice tough wheel for a replacement? Doesn't have to be exotic/light/fast for this bike, just reliable and not break the bank. (but if it has black rims to match the front that's a bonus! aah bicycle vanity...)

 

[Crandoggler]

I like my Campagnolo Khamsin. Tough as hell.

Apparently B'Twin 'aero' wheels are also pretty good! Mavic copies.

 

[ChrisEyles]

The original rim seems to have been an "accedo double walled touring rim" BTW

 

[ChrisEyles]

Thinking I'm going to take the bike into the LBS on Friday and ask them to order in a suitable rear wheel. I'm leaning towards a Mavic A719 rim from a bit of googling around (but will see what advice I get in the shop).

I guess they won't have anything suitable in stock (their website only has fancy-schmancy lightweight racing wheels), so hopefully the rear wheel will last the journey into town a couple of last times! I'll watch out for pot-holes and maybe let a few psi out of the rear tyre first to be on the safe side.

 

[vickster]

Order something from wiggle on next day delivery?

 

[Crandoggler]

How much do you want to spend mate?