Check Your Rims Kids!!

I had a pretty exciting rim fail this morning (insert vindaloo based humour here).

I knew the Open Pro that has served me very well over the last 4 years (and 10k miles) of commuting was definitely on the way out, but was banking on it lasting past Christmas when I'll give the trusty touring bike a good overhaul.

Alas it was not to be. As I pulled onto Regent St I noticed that the front wheel was rubbing on the brake pads and seconds later the tyre exploded as the pressure within it could not be contained by the weakened rim wall. It made a good bang too.

Anyway I was really lucky to be going slowly. The rim itself peeled away from the wheel and caused the wheel to lock in my forks. Had I been going a touch faster I would have been over the handlebars and face first into the road. Thank the lord it didn't happen on my daily roll down Denmark Hill, or I would not be typing this now.

So check your rims everyone!! And ride safe.

Kuku.

2 Attachments

Im impressed, that's one big split! does the Open Pro not have any wear indicator?

Your bike deserved those Velo Orange hammered mudguard.

You let it go too far. My most important life skill other than seeking out pubs has been getting Open Pro rims used enough to split but not catastrophically.

.,

Too far is right! A lucky escape this time and I have learned my lesson.

@edscoble I've got the 37mm smooth steel VO guards on order as it happens as part of the 2015 makeover. Although ironically I'm moving to California where I hope guards will not be quite as essential as in London.

New rim ideas? Open Sports look a good balance between weight, durability and cost.

Wider rims, like the Archetype is a great choice, the other option is the Kinlin rims at a decent price, the silver box section rims should match your bike very nicely.

And yes, prepare to be surprised how quickly people there rush to cover when there's a slight hint of rain.

Really weird being in a country that have predictable weather.

@pdlouche About a week ago the front wheel started to judder significantly under braking - once per rotation there was a noticeable kick - as you experience when a spoke breaks and the wheel goes out of true in one spot. I visited the bike shop for a quick service as brakes and gears were all in need of attention and they confirmed that the wheel was not significantly out of true - rather the kicking under braking was due to the serious rim wear. As I only planned to ride the bike for a couple of weeks up to Christmas before sorting new rims front and back they were ok to let me on my way with tweaks to the rest of the mechanics and the bike riding much better all round.

I've 'salvaged' a hybrid wheel from one of the long-abandoned hybrids in my office bike rack to keep me rolling, and the bike shop are fettling my tempremental cantis for me at no charge.

That's a recommend for Soho Bikes. Very good service and good prices. On Berwick St W1.

Do everyone a favour and hacksaw the rim in two (on the opposite site to where it failed) and then post a picture of the profile.

(I use one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BICYCLE-RIM-GAUGE-DEUXIEME-GAUGE-/291208570753?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item43cd622781 and check the rim thickness whenever I service the bike or change a tube/tyre at home)

That measuring thingy looks very sensible. I shall invest.

I've got rid of most of my tools but will see if I can find a hacksaw to get a snap of the cross section.

.,

Braking will feel weird or click if you've lifted the rim up. Of course you should also be looking at your rims now and then, like say when you clean your bike cough, so you will know if they're getting low.

My reward for not checking the rim indicator on a CR18 was a massive CLONK followed by a nice thumb sized dent after hitting a sharp manhole cover edge.

Could've been worse I suppose...but keeping an eye on the back now. My front Gazelle wheel isn't too fresh either, I rarely break on it (fixeh hey) but perhaps time to ask for a new rim for Christmas ;)