Do I Need a New Rim?

[hairylegs]

Had a scary incident on Friday - ran over something (glass?) that not only went through my tubeless tire but sliced my rim! Can I just reinforce this with some some extra tape and be ok?

Glad I stayed upright!

http://i65.tinypic.com/nvscar.jpg

P.S. I know - I need to cut my fingernails!

[bikinchris]

Yeah, but didn't the sealant stop the leak? Therein lies the fallacy of tubeless.

Honestly, as long as you have no cracks anywhere else, sealing the hole with reinforced packing tape and using Stan's would be okay.

[hairylegs]

I think I got flaky with putting new sealant in #1. #2 this was a large slice. I don't think any amount of sealant could have helped!

But it does seem like some aluminum tape and then rim tape should suffice, right?

Thanks a bunch!

[charliedid]

Yes

Don't mess around with stuff like that.

[hairylegs]

How is the slice different than say the spoke hole structurally speaking? Trying to get the wheelbuilder to chime in. Ergott rocks!

[cmbicycles]

If it were just a nail that punctured the rim, I'd still ride it. I think you ran over a chunk of metal of some sort, I doubt glass would puncture the rim like that... but that's not the issue.

The hole/tear is pretty close to the spoke hole and slightly buckled already and the metal is also torn slightly at the bottom, which could (or might not) continue to tear, so I wouldn't be too confident riding it as it looks.
Is it a front wheel or rear? If front I'd definitely replace it, no sense risking it failing. If it is a rear I would still probably replace it, but it's hard to say for sure not knowing how its used, nor how hard.

P.S. I just figured the thumbnail was for playing guitar...

[hairylegs]

Rear wheel. I don't ride like I used to sadly...just 25-50 milers but can at times involve descents...now I'm leaning on replacing.

[sdrides]

I hate to say it, but I'd probably replace it. It seems unlikely that it would unravel catastrophically, but being as it would be tucked away under tape/tube/tire you won't readily be able to keep an eye on it to see if it's expanding at all.

[hairylegs]

Yep I'm definitely leaning that way. Not worth the risk! Thanks all. If anybody has a spare rear wheel they'd like to sell (I'm fine with heavy!) I'd be into buying! Thanks!

[dvancleve]

I would put some of that aluminum duct (HVAC?) tape over it and run it. You'll know where it is, just check on it after every ride until it's clear that something is getting worse or that it's fine…

Doug

[ergott]

How is the slice different than say the spoke hole structurally speaking? Trying to get the wheelbuilder to chime in. Ergott rocks!Already forwarded to rim company. I should have definitive answer tomorrow.

[emoji16]

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[FlashUNC]

Something plays can opener with the rim bed right near a spoke hole?

Yeah. Replace it.

[charliedid]

How is the slice different than say the spoke hole structurally speaking? Trying to get the wheelbuilder to chime in. Ergott rocks!

I'm no structural engineer but I think a drilled hole is more stable than a tear, which has a greater chance of getting larger.

Do what you think best.

[hairylegs]

Thanks everybody! It's been awhile since I've posted and have not been riding much due to work and baby (18 months already!) but this is truly the best forum around. THANKS AGAIN.

So I've decided I definitely want to get the rim replaced. I'll probably just ride my heavy crossbike until it comes back.

As my friend said "As a responsible Daddy you should get a new wheel."

Or Rim!

[oldpotatoe]

I think I got flaky with putting new sealant in #1. #2 this was a large slice. I don't think any amount of sealant could have helped!

But it does seem like some aluminum tape and then rim tape should suffice, right?

Thanks a bunch!

Had a customer who brought in a rim with a BIG nail thru it...tire side thru space between spoke holes..we pulled it out, replaced the rim tape and off he rode..new tire and tube.

[AngryScientist]

i would have no reservations retaping that and riding it. check it again in a couple hundred miles; especially if you dont have a back-up set of wheels, ride on...

[mcteague]

Had a customer who brought in a rim with a BIG nail thru it...tire side thru space between spoke holes..we pulled it out, replaced the rim tape and off he rode..new tire and tube.

But how did he get on days later? A problem like this may take a while to cause issues.

Tim

[bshell]

I suspect the worst case scenario is that over time the rim bed *may possibly* start to split and expand --which you will feel at the brake pads if you are a "sensitive to things like that" type (I am).


I know this is a slightly different situation but I'm always impressed with how strong stuff generally is. On my rear wheel I got a duplex nail through my tubeless tire, rim bed, and then it exited near a spoke, leaving a 1/4" hole after all sharp edges were filed down. I had just built those guys(HED belgium+) and couldn't face doing it again right away. File, light countersink, JB weld (to keep stuff out), sharpie, new tape and go. It's been 9 months w/o any changes.