I am anticipating an eventual rebuild of a pair of Real-Design Super Sphere road wheels. The originals only lasted 5-6K miles before they started cracking at the spoke holes. These were replaced under warranty and now the new set has about 4K miles on them. If these are like the first set I don't have too much time left on them. I would like to line up replacement rims now.
I would like to reuse the spokes as they are straight pull and should be in good shape. This is why I need a replacement rim with the same or very close E.R.D. Can anyone give me some suggestions for good rims and/or places to look?
Have any of you ever heard of Alex as a rim manufacturer? Obviously I would like to avoid these. At only 150 Lbs. I shouldn't be hard on a set of wheels.
i am on shimano r550's i had trouble with the bearings in the front at 2k, up to 4.5k now and no other issues, ok rim but not light or super aero dynamic, good comuter rim, not good for speeds over 35ks/h as the spoke cut too much wind, my next set will be more aero dynamic. so i may need to look for cracks in a few 1000 k's. I am of the half a mind that when that happens by another bike very much the same, and wreck one for parts are needs, seems to be the cheapest way (and saying that i am refering to the wheels). eg. my bike $1.5k, the new wheels that i want cost $1.2k, better bike WITH those rims only $1.8k best to get the bike for an extra $600 and then i get a whole bike of spares as well.
I am anticipating an eventual rebuild of a pair of Real-Design Super Sphere road wheels. The originals only lasted 5-6K miles before they started cracking at the spoke holes. These were replaced under warranty and now the new set has about 4K miles on them. If these are like the first set I don't have too much time left on them. I would like to line up replacement rims now.
I would like to reuse the spokes as they are straight pull and should be in good shape. This is why I need a replacement rim with the same or very close E.R.D. Can anyone give me some suggestions for good rims and/or places to look?
Have any of you ever heard of Alex as a rim manufacturer? Obviously I would like to avoid these. At only 150 Lbs. I shouldn't be hard on a set of wheels.
Actually, I swear by Alex rims. Tough as nails. Problem is often that they're used on lower end wheels and the wheel build is bad. Who knows why yours cracked? I'd imagine because low spoke count wheels have their issues. Don't fear normal spoke count Alex rims, that's for sure.
Anyway, I believe Velocity Aeroheads will be a perfect ERD replacement rim. make sure to get the OC Rear, as it really makes a sweet wheel.
I am anticipating an eventual rebuild of a pair of Real-Design Super Sphere road wheels. The originals only lasted 5-6K miles before they started cracking at the spoke holes. These were replaced under warranty and now the new set has about 4K miles on them. If these are like the first set I don't have too much time left on them. I would like to line up replacement rims now.
I would like to reuse the spokes as they are straight pull and should be in good shape. This is why I need a replacement rim with the same or very close E.R.D. Can anyone give me some suggestions for good rims and/or places to look?
Have any of you ever heard of Alex as a rim manufacturer? Obviously I would like to avoid these. At only 150 Lbs. I shouldn't be hard on a set of wheels.
Actually, I swear by Alex rims. Tough as nails. Problem is often that they're used on lower end wheels and the wheel build is bad. Who knows why yours cracked? I'd imagine because low spoke count wheels have their issues. Don't fear normal spoke count Alex rims, that's for sure.
The 7-1/2 year old Alex rims on one of my bikes are fine, except for some wear on the brake track (which happens to all rims when used with rim brakes).
except for some wear on the brake track (which happens to all rims when used with
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rim brakes).
How many kms for this to happen, does it make the wheel dangorous and need to be replaced?
It depends on how much braking, the amount of riding in wet weather, and how gritty the roads are.
Some rims have "wear markers" that indicate when the rim should be replaced. The "rule of thumb" is to replace any rim with a wall less than 0.5-mm thick.
I am anticipating an eventual rebuild of a pair of Real-Design Super Sphere road wheels. The originals only lasted 5-6K miles before they started cracking at the spoke holes. These were replaced under warranty and now the new set has about 4K miles on them. If these are like the first set I don't have too much time left on them. I would like to line up replacement rims now.
I am anticipating an eventual rebuild of a pair of Real-Design Super Sphere road wheels. The originals only lasted 5-6K miles before they started cracking at the spoke holes.
Have any of you ever heard of Alex as a rim manufacturer? Obviously I would like to avoid these. At only 150 Lbs. I shouldn't be hard on a set of wheels.
You may gave gotten a defective wheelset the first time-- and as landotter points out, that could have more to do with the build than with the rims themselves. Alex Rims are made with stronger aluminum alloy than most of the better-known rim manufacturers use. I can't recommend another maker over Alex-- although I don't know anything about the particular rim design in question.
Alex rims have lasted better for me, like for like, than any other rims-- and I weigh more than twice what you do.
I am anticipating an eventual rebuild of a pair of Real-Design Super Sphere road wheels. The originals only lasted 5-6K miles before they started cracking at the spoke holes. These were replaced under warranty and now the new set has about 4K miles on them. If these are like the first set I don't have too much time left on them. I would like to line up replacement rims now.
I would like to reuse the spokes as they are straight pull and should be in good shape. This is why I need a replacement rim with the same or very close E.R.D. Can anyone give me some suggestions for good rims and/or places to look?
Have any of you ever heard of Alex as a rim manufacturer? Obviously I would like to avoid these. At only 150 Lbs. I shouldn't be hard on a set of wheels.
Thanks,
Steve
Well, you could use a Velocity Aerohead OC for the rear..similar ERD and 24h available..
If you can't find a rim(Aerohead ERD is 602mm), you could always get spokes to use for the front. OR use an Aerohead and use 16mm nipples..
On Aug 20, 9:33 pm, "David L. Johnson" <[email hidden]>
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Steve Sr. said:
Hello,
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I am anticipating an eventual rebuild of a pair of Real-Design Super Sphere road wheels. The originals only lasted 5-6K miles before they started cracking at the spoke holes. These were replaced under warranty and now the new set has about 4K miles on them. If these are like the first set I don't have too much time left on them. I would like to line up replacement rims now.
On Tue, 21 Aug 2007 07:00:54 -0000, Chalo <[email hidden]>
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Steve Sr. said:
I am anticipating an eventual rebuild of a pair of Real-Design Super Sphere road wheels. The originals only lasted 5-6K miles before they started cracking at the spoke holes.
Have any of you ever heard of Alex as a rim manufacturer? Obviously I would like to avoid these. At only 150 Lbs. I shouldn't be hard on a set of wheels.
You may gave gotten a defective wheelset the first time-- and as landotter points out, that could have more to do with the build than with the rims themselves. Alex Rims are made with stronger aluminum alloy than most of the better-known rim manufacturers use. I can't recommend another maker over Alex-- although I don't know anything about the particular rim design in question.
The old set of wheels was checked for spoke tension when they were traded out. Tension was even and only slightly higher than the manufacturer (Real-Design) spec. So it appears that they were properly assembled.
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Alex rims have lasted better for me, like for like, than any other rims-- and I weigh more than twice what you do.
Are your rims that you have had good luck with full spoke count or reduced like mine?
On Tue, 21 Aug 2007 07:00:54 -0000, Chalo <[email hidden]>
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Steve Sr. wrote:
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I am anticipating an eventual rebuild of a pair of Real-Design Super Sphere road wheels. The originals only lasted 5-6K miles before they started cracking at the spoke holes.
Have any of you ever heard of Alex as a rim manufacturer? Obviously I would like to avoid these. At only 150 Lbs. I shouldn't be hard on a set of wheels.
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You may gave gotten a defective wheelset the first time-- and as landotter points out, that could have more to do with the build than with the rims themselves. Alex Rims are made with stronger aluminum alloy than most of the better-known rim manufacturers use. I can't recommend another maker over Alex-- although I don't know anything about the particular rim design in question.
The old set of wheels was checked for spoke tension when they were traded out. Tension was even and only slightly higher than the manufacturer (Real-Design) spec. So it appears that they were properly assembled.
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Alex rims have lasted better for me, like for like, than any other rims-- and I weigh more than twice what you do.
Are your rims that you have had good luck with full spoke count or reduced like mine?
Chalo and I are both big fans of Alex rims, but I do believe that both of us run traditional spoke counts. Low spoke count wheels need beefier rims, as there's no free lunch, so that is likely the problem. You should be just fine relacing onto Velocity Aeroheads. Don't pull the spokes, just electric tap the wheel to the new rim and transfer the spokes one by one if you're lazy. This allows them to stay in their same position and not get stressed in a different way...but I've built a few wheels with used spokes that are fine. Have fun!
Sounds like the R400 (exact match on published ERD at least)... that should be a good rim. The Aeroheads would be a good alternative.
Is than an Alex R400?
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Which eyelets were cracking...
These wheels have no eyelets under the nipples. Could this be part of the problem?
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and are these 2.0/1.5mm or 2.0/1.8mm spokes?
What are these numbers refering to? Nipple and spoke diameter? I don't have the bike at home to measure. It stays at work (under camera surveilance) during the week for lunch time rides. I'll check these two dimensions tomorrow.
On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 01:00:40 -0000, landotter <[email hidden]>
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Steve Sr. said:
On Tue, 21 Aug 2007 07:00:54 -0000, Chalo <[email hidden]>
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Steve Sr. wrote:
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> I am anticipating an eventual rebuild of a pair of Real-Design Super > Sphere road wheels. The originals only lasted 5-6K miles before they > started cracking at the spoke holes. ... > The specs on the rims are as follows:
> Have any of you ever heard of Alex as a rim manufacturer? Obviously I > would like to avoid these. At only 150 Lbs. I shouldn't be hard on a > set of wheels.
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You may gave gotten a defective wheelset the first time-- and as landotter points out, that could have more to do with the build than with the rims themselves. Alex Rims are made with stronger aluminum alloy than most of the better-known rim manufacturers use. I can't recommend another maker over Alex-- although I don't know anything about the particular rim design in question.
The old set of wheels was checked for spoke tension when they were traded out. Tension was even and only slightly higher than the manufacturer (Real-Design) spec. So it appears that they were properly assembled.
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Alex rims have lasted better for me, like for like, than any other rims-- and I weigh more than twice what you do.
Are your rims that you have had good luck with full spoke count or reduced like mine?
Chalo and I are both big fans of Alex rims, but I do believe that both of us run traditional spoke counts. Low spoke count wheels need beefier rims, as there's no free lunch, so that is likely the problem. You should be just fine relacing onto Velocity Aeroheads. Don't pull the spokes, just electric tap the wheel to the new rim and transfer the spokes one by one if you're lazy. This allows them to stay in their same position and not get stressed in a different way...but I've built a few wheels with used spokes that are fine. Have fun!
I just took a look at the Alex web site and they do indeed list a rim, the R400, that apparently matches the originals to the ERD and number of holes.
So maybe the combination of no eyelets and spoke count at the bottom of the range are the real issues in the apparent lack of durability in these wheels. I wonder if any other rim (velocity or otherwise) will have the same issues for the same reasons?
Sounds like the R400 (exact match on published ERD at least)... that should be a good rim. The Aeroheads would be a good alternative.
Is than an Alex R400?
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Which eyelets were cracking...
These wheels have no eyelets under the nipples. Could this be part of the problem?
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and are these 2.0/1.5mm or 2.0/1.8mm spokes?
What are these numbers refering to? Nipple and spoke diameter? I don't have the bike at home to measure. It stays at work (under camera surveilance) during the week for lunch time rides. I'll check these two dimensions tomorrow.
Steve
I checked the spokes at work today. They are double-butted 1.8/2.0mm.
Alex rims have lasted better for me, like for like, than any other rims-- and I weigh more than twice what you do.
Are your rims that you have had good luck with full spoke count or reduced like mine?
I've only used 36- and 48-hole Alex rims. That's high spoke count, but it's still more pounds of me per spoke, to put it in perspective.
Your first pair of rims may have been incorrectly heat-treated, leading to brittleness. Or they may have been poorly lubricated on assembly, resulting in galling at the rim-nipple interface.
