Orient Express - Cheap Chinese Rims / Wheels / Forks / Frames / Cranks / Etc

I think it's imperfections in the braking surface, which if braked on will result in heat that could be a risk if used on a road bike, but poses no risk when not using brakes.

~~But that's from memory.

I think the debate is from around page 10.~~

From bottom of page 7 onwards.

According to the manufacturor the surface mark is caused by a bubble- air was not purged from the epoxy before it set, so when it came out of the mold there was a small surface void- visible in the picture by Jim's thumb.

This was then filled in when/by the clearcoat layer.

Clearcoat is obviously not structural, however.

He (unsurprisingly) maintains that this is purely a cosmetic defect.

Would anyone who works with composites have an opinion?

Jim's concern is that the bubble areas would focus stress when, for example, braking heavily.

Whereas a rim without the imperfections would distribute that stress evenly the rim with imperfections might fail.