Rim bulge - Can it be repaired?

I've experienced this twice, and the bike shop guys said they were faulty rims which should be replaced, so I did.

I only noticed it it because of the shuddering braking 🙂

HarryB said:

I discovered that one side of the rim (20" Velocity DeepV) on my
recumbent tandem has a bulge. At the bulge, the rim is about 0.75mm
wider than the rest of the rim and about the length of three spoke
holes. I assume I must have hit something with the wheel, but don't
remember it, nor do I see any damage to the tire or rim other than the
bulge. The wheel has approximately 3,000 miles on it, so I don't think
it is because the rim is worn from braking.

Can this be safely repaired, maybe by squeezing the bulged area in a
vice? I don't want to replace the rim if I don't have to, but neither
do I wish put my wonderful stoker in jeopardy by riding on an unsafe
wheel.

If the rim can't be safely repaired, is it safe to ride this rim until
I can find a replacement?

TIA,
Harry

if it's just a dent, maybe, but it's difficult to get right. if it's a
symptom of a worn rim, it's the bulge that precedes outright rim
failure. suggest tire removal and close inspection, including under the
rim tape. asap. and it would /not/ be safe to ride if any cracking or
excess brake wear is evident. in either case, the safest solution is
rim replacement.

HarryB said:

I discovered that one side of the rim (20" Velocity DeepV) on my
recumbent tandem has a bulge. At the bulge, the rim is about 0.75mm
wider than the rest of the rim and about the length of three spoke
holes. I assume I must have hit something with the wheel, but don't

0.75mm is not a big deal. Across three spoke holes is. This is not likely
to happen from a pothole encounter. I would say replace.

Quoted message said:

remember it, nor do I see any damage to the tire or rim other than the
bulge. The wheel has approximately 3,000 miles on it, so I don't think
it is because the rim is worn from braking.

Send pics if you can.

--
Phil

velocity is great about replacing bad rims so don't fear getting left
out in the rain.

Non-Squid said:

HarryB said:

I discovered that one side of the rim (20" Velocity DeepV) on my
recumbent tandem has a bulge. At the bulge, the rim is about 0.75mm
wider than the rest of the rim and about the length of three spoke
holes. I assume I must have hit something with the wheel, but don't

0.75mm is not a big deal. Across three spoke holes is. This is not likely
to happen from a pothole encounter. I would say replace.

Quoted message said:

remember it, nor do I see any damage to the tire or rim other than the
bulge. The wheel has approximately 3,000 miles on it, so I don't think
it is because the rim is worn from braking.

Send pics if you can.

Although I could take a picture, I doubt it would show anything
clearly. (And, I'm not sure where I could post such a picture.)

Maybe I didn't do a good job of explaining the bulge: maybe I should
have written that as I slowly turn the wheel, the outward part of the
rim (by the hook) gradually becomes wider on one side of the wheel for
about the distance of about 1 1/2 spoke holes and then gradually
narrows back to the normal width the over the same distance. Since
this is a 20" 36 hole rim, the total distance that is deformed is
about 8cm. I should also have noted that the part of the rim's braking
surface nearest the hub does not increase in width at all.

Harry

HarryB said:

On Tue, 3 Apr 2007 03:05:27 -0400, "Phil, Non-Squid"
<[email hidden]> wrote:

[snip]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Send pics if you can.

[snip]

Quoted message said:

Although I could take a picture, I doubt it would show anything
clearly. (And, I'm not sure where I could post such a picture.)

[snip]

Dear Harry,

Try www.tinypic.com to post pictures.

Click on browse, choose the file to upload, and cut and paste the
resulting link into your post or email.

Here's an example, a picture of a highwheeler in another thread:

http://i12.tinypic.com/2mzl8jb.jpg

TinyPic is free, doesn't even require a login, and allows a short
caption to let you search for the file if you lose the link.

There are other free hosting services that let you log in and group
your pictures in galleries and upload multiple pictures, but for most
people TinyPic is as quick and easy as it gets.

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

I don't know anything about modern materials, but with the old steel
rims you just bent it back with vise grips, putting some unbendable
object between the grip and the good side of the rim, so it didn't
get bent inwards.

Then you bought a new rim.

--
Ron Hardin
[email hidden]

On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

In article <[email hidden]>,

HarryB said:

Tim McNamara said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

jim beam said:

HarryB wrote:
> I discovered that one side of the rim (20" Velocity DeepV) on my
> recumbent tandem has a bulge. At the bulge, the rim is about
> 0.75mm wider than the rest of the rim and about the length of
> three spoke holes. I assume I must have hit something with the
> wheel, but don't remember it, nor do I see any damage to the
> tire or rim other than the bulge. The wheel has approximately
> 3,000 miles on it, so I don't think it is because the rim is
> worn from braking.
>
> Can this be safely repaired, maybe by squeezing the bulged area
> in a vice? I don't want to replace the rim if I don't have to,
> but neither do I wish put my wonderful stoker in jeopardy by
> riding on an unsafe wheel.
>
> If the rim can't be safely repaired, is it safe to ride this rim
> until I can find a replacement?

if it's just a dent, maybe, but it's difficult to get right. if
it's a symptom of a worn rim, it's the bulge that precedes
outright rim failure. suggest tire removal and close inspection,
including under the rim tape. asap. and it would /not/ be safe
to ride if any cracking or excess brake wear is evident. in
either case, the safest solution is rim replacement.

Those were my thoughts too. I wondered particularly about the rim
cracking along the spoke bed where it meets the sidewall, causing it
to bulge outward from tire pressure. jim's right, this wheel should
not be used until it has been inspected and the cause of the bulge
determined. Having the sidewall blow out while riding would be a
bad deal.

The Velocity USA web site doesn't list a 20" version but there is a
cutaway drawing:

http://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=583

Yes, that picture is what the rim looks like. I have looked at the
inside and outside of the rim with a magnifying glass and don't see
any cracking anywhere.

What I should have mentioned is that the bulge is most pronounced at
the edge of the rim (by the hook) and that there is no bulge at the
braking surface nearest the hub. It certainly appears like the rim is
"dented" outward as if it had been hit with something blunt from the
inside.

That usually takes the form of an acute "V" bulging out from the
centerline of the rim or indented in towards the centerline the rim.
Usually about 1/2" long or so. It takes a pretty good whack, you'd
remember it.

HarryB said:

I discovered that one side of the rim (20" Velocity DeepV) on my
recumbent tandem has a bulge. At the bulge, the rim is about 0.75mm
wider than the rest of the rim and about the length of three spoke
holes. I assume I must have hit something with the wheel, but don't
remember it, nor do I see any damage to the tire or rim other than the
bulge. The wheel has approximately 3,000 miles on it, so I don't think
it is because the rim is worn from braking.

Can this be safely repaired, maybe by squeezing the bulged area in a
vice? I don't want to replace the rim if I don't have to, but neither
do I wish put my wonderful stoker in jeopardy by riding on an unsafe
wheel.

There's the Bicycle Research "Rim Saver" tool:

http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=594510960559&d=single&c=Tools&sc=Wheel-and-Rim&tc=Rim-Repair-Tools&item_id=BR-RS1

But be aware that impact damage not only causes a bulge, but also often
flattens the rim at the impact site, so you will likely have a bit of a
"hop" in the rim regardless of how well you repair the bulge.

I am a bit concerned about the extend of the bulge you describe, though.
Most impact damage is very restricted in extent; this sounds more like
the rim wall itself might be deformed. Can you take it to a shop for
someone to check in person? I

Quoted message said:

If the rim can't be safely repaired, is it safe to ride this rim until
I can find a replacement?

Assuming it is just impact damage, it should be ok. If it is the rim
wall failing you may suffer a blowout with the tire coming off the rim.
Get it checked.

--

John ([email hidden])

Quoted message said:

HarryB said:

On Tue, 3 Apr 2007 03:05:27 -0400, "Phil, Non-Squid"
<[email hidden]> wrote:

[snip]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Send pics if you can.

[snip]

Quoted message said:

Although I could take a picture, I doubt it would show anything
clearly. (And, I'm not sure where I could post such a picture.)

[snip]

Dear Harry,

Try www.tinypic.com to post pictures.

[snip]

Quoted message said:

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

Carl,

Thanks for the link. I have taken some pictures and uploaded them to
that site. Taking pictures of a dark colored wheel is difficult. If I
was a photographer the pictures would be much better...

Harry

Non-Squid said:

HarryB said:

I discovered that one side of the rim (20" Velocity DeepV) on my
recumbent tandem has a bulge. At the bulge, the rim is about 0.75mm
wider than the rest of the rim and about the length of three spoke
holes. I assume I must have hit something with the wheel, but don't

0.75mm is not a big deal. Across three spoke holes is. This is not likely
to happen from a pothole encounter. I would say replace.

Quoted message said:

remember it, nor do I see any damage to the tire or rim other than the
bulge. The wheel has approximately 3,000 miles on it, so I don't think
it is because the rim is worn from braking.

Send pics if you can.

Here are some pictures I took of the rim. (Taking close-up pictures of
a rim is difficult!)

The first picture shows the area of the bulge. The line that runs
through the middle of the braking surface is a gouge, not a crack,
that goes all the way around the rim. The piece of tape points to the
widest part of the bulge:
http://i11.tinypic.com/29gbv4p.jpg

The next picture shows the inside of the rim at the bulge area:
http://i9.tinypic.com/2cnw3n5.jpg

The bulge is on the right side in this last picture:
http://i10.tinypic.com/4hip6xd.jpg

Harry

In article <[email hidden]>,

HarryB said:

Here are some pictures I took of the rim. (Taking close-up pictures
of a rim is difficult!)

The first picture shows the area of the bulge. The line that runs
through the middle of the braking surface is a gouge, not a crack,
that goes all the way around the rim. The piece of tape points to the
widest part of the bulge: http://i11.tinypic.com/29gbv4p.jpg

Is that a set of parallel cracks in the sidewall, about 1/2 and 1/2 of
the way up?

Quoted message said:

The next picture shows the inside of the rim at the bulge area:
http://i9.tinypic.com/2cnw3n5.jpg

The bulge is on the right side in this last picture:
http://i10.tinypic.com/4hip6xd.jpg

There's no impact mark on the edge of the rim, which I think argues
against having hit something. I think you're looking at a failing rim.

Tim McNamara said:

Quoted message said:

Here are some pictures I took of the rim. (Taking close-up pictures
of a rim is difficult!)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The first picture shows the area of the bulge. The line that runs
through the middle of the braking surface is a gouge, not a crack,
that goes all the way around the rim. The piece of tape points to
the widest part of the bulge: http://i11.tinypic.com/29gbv4p.jpg

Quoted message said:

Is that a set of parallel cracks in the sidewall, about 1/2 and 1/2
of the way up?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The next picture shows the inside of the rim at the bulge area:
http://i9.tinypic.com/2cnw3n5.jpg The bulge is on the right side in
this last picture: http://i10.tinypic.com/4hip6xd.jpg

Quoted message said:

There's no impact mark on the edge of the rim, which I think argues
against having hit something. I think you're looking at a failing
rim.

I think you are looking at a brand new rim, the brake track of which
hasn't even shown brake wear. The way the rim is shown, I cannot see
the "bulge". If the rim were lying on a flat surface, bulge downward,
and photographed on edge, we might be able to see what is claimed.

Jobst Brandt

HarryB said:

Non-Squid said:

HarryB said:

I discovered that one side of the rim (20" Velocity DeepV) on my
recumbent tandem has a bulge. At the bulge, the rim is about 0.75mm
wider than the rest of the rim and about the length of three spoke
holes. I assume I must have hit something with the wheel, but don't

0.75mm is not a big deal. Across three spoke holes is. This is not likely
to happen from a pothole encounter. I would say replace.

Quoted message said:

remember it, nor do I see any damage to the tire or rim other than the
bulge. The wheel has approximately 3,000 miles on it, so I don't think
it is because the rim is worn from braking.

Send pics if you can.

Here are some pictures I took of the rim. (Taking close-up pictures of
a rim is difficult!)

The first picture shows the area of the bulge. The line that runs
through the middle of the braking surface is a gouge, not a crack,
that goes all the way around the rim. The piece of tape points to the
widest part of the bulge:
http://i11.tinypic.com/29gbv4p.jpg

The next picture shows the inside of the rim at the bulge area:
http://i9.tinypic.com/2cnw3n5.jpg

The bulge is on the right side in this last picture:
http://i10.tinypic.com/4hip6xd.jpg

Harry

because of reflection on #2, it's not possible to say for sure, but the
combination of #1 & #2 lead me to think this rim is cracking. suggest
you replace asap.

also for future reference, stick to /rim/ manufacturer tire pressure -
you don't say what you're running, but i'll bet it's not 60lbs!

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

Tim McNamara said:

Quoted message said:

Here are some pictures I took of the rim. (Taking close-up pictures
of a rim is difficult!)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The first picture shows the area of the bulge. The line that runs
through the middle of the braking surface is a gouge, not a crack,
that goes all the way around the rim. The piece of tape points to
the widest part of the bulge: http://i11.tinypic.com/29gbv4p.jpg

Quoted message said:

Is that a set of parallel cracks in the sidewall, about 1/2 and 1/2
of the way up?

Should have been "1/4 and 1/2 of the way up."

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The next picture shows the inside of the rim at the bulge area:
http://i9.tinypic.com/2cnw3n5.jpg The bulge is on the right side in
this last picture: http://i10.tinypic.com/4hip6xd.jpg

Quoted message said:

There's no impact mark on the edge of the rim, which I think argues
against having hit something. I think you're looking at a failing
rim.

I think you are looking at a brand new rim, the brake track of which
hasn't even shown brake wear. The way the rim is shown, I cannot see
the "bulge". If the rim were lying on a flat surface, bulge downward,
and photographed on edge, we might be able to see what is claimed.

If you look at http://i11.tinypic.com/29gbv4p.jpg there are two lines
that look different from the machining artifacts; they are brighter than
the "album groove" machining marks, have distinct ends and are
apparently centered in the bulge. The lower one is about 1/4 of the way
up the brake track and is about 1 1/4 the length of a span between
spokes. On my LCD screen the lines become more obvious if I tilt my
monitor back slightly to increase contrast. Above that is another line,
but that one is harder to differentiate as there seems to be a groove
all the way around at the middle of the brake surface (some
manufacturers put some kind of wear indicator on rims these days, this
might be one of those).

There's no impact mark on the edge of the rim, though, so I doubt that
the bulge is due to hitting something.

I like the idea of laying the rim on a flat surface or placing a
straightedge along the rim and photographing it from the edge to
highlight the bulge. Seeing both sides of the rim this way would be
helpful, to see if both sides deviate.

Quoted message said:

HarryB said:

I discovered that one side of the rim (20" Velocity DeepV) on my
recumbent tandem has a bulge. At the bulge, the rim is about 0.75mm
wider than the rest of the rim and about the length of three spoke
holes. I assume I must have hit something with the wheel, but don't
remember it, nor do I see any damage to the tire or rim other than the
bulge. The wheel has approximately 3,000 miles on it, so I don't think
it is because the rim is worn from braking.
Can this be safely repaired, maybe by squeezing the bulged area in a
vice? I don't want to replace the rim if I don't have to, but neither
do I wish put my wonderful stoker in jeopardy by riding on an unsafe
wheel.

John Thompson said:

There's the Bicycle Research "Rim Saver" tool:
http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=594510960559&d=single&c=Tools&sc=Wheel-and-Rim&tc=Rim-Repair-Tools&item_id=BR-RS1

-snip 'check for safety'-

Back to esoterica, where there's a will, there's a way:
http://www.yellowjersey.org/photosfromthepast/RIMTRUE.JPG

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

In article <[email hidden]>,

A Muzi said:

Back to esoterica, where there's a will, there's a way:
http://www.yellowjersey.org/photosfromthepast/RIMTRUE.JPG

I remember having one of those at the first bike shop I worked at,
although I think it was a VAR and not as old as that one looks. I have
had occasion to wish I still had one of those in the past few years.

rumor is: the rim saver bends rim walls out laterally. the tool does
not bend rims inward laterally.
AMuzi's tool bends rims outward radially while possibly deforming
outside the tools grasp inward radially?

an orbital jigsaw 'might' cut 3/4" ply or particle board-or two 1/2"
bolted to the correct inside rim circumference if you fabricate a
jigsaw trammel rod from strap stock-home depot/used bedframes.
center the radial bend, screw the center to the circumference
blocks,possibly screw each nipple hole down then tap rim to set the
rebend.
but the jigsaw 'might' not cut the ply or particle board at a 90
degree angle leaving the work with another trammel cut this time with
a router.
very experimental.

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

A Muzi said:

Back to esoterica, where there's a will, there's a way:
http://www.yellowjersey.org/photosfromthepast/RIMTRUE.JPG

Tim McNamara said:

I remember having one of those at the first bike shop I worked at,
although I think it was a VAR and not as old as that one looks. I have
had occasion to wish I still had one of those in the past few years.

We use it once or twice a year when normal conditions are exceeded.
Where a new rim can be sold it's a better wheel than using this tool.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971