Replacement rim for Xero wheelset

[craigster_jd]

The rear rim on my commuter has cracked rather terminally, to the extent that it is now unrideable. (For pics, check here)

It's part of a Xero-Lite XR-2 wheelset, and because of the low spoke count (20) it seems my options for getting it repaired are much reduced. Also the budget is pretty tight at the moment so I'm looking to get the bike back on the road as cheaply as possible for the last few months I plan to be in the country (around $100 would be nice). So:

- Does anyone know any places in Australia which deal with Xero wheels?
- Would a wheel of this type even be repairable?
- If so, could anyone recommend a low cost 20 spoke rim which would be suitable?
- Any other options (not involving expensive custom-built wheels)

No need to point out that these are stupid wheels for a supposed 'commuting' bike - they are what the Ridgeback came with and I've learned my lesson. As soon as funds allow I'l get myself some decent wheels made up.

Cheers,
Craigster.

 

[Random Data]

On Wed, 01 Feb 2006 18:19:51 +1100, craigster_jd wrote:

> - Would a wheel of this type even be repairable? - If so, could anyone
> recommend a low cost 20 spoke rim which would be suitable?
> - Any other options (not involving expensive custom-built wheels)

Without looking at them there might be some options. Anyone know what
Shimano's low spoke count wanky wheels are (I've got a ****ling suspicion
they're 16 spoke). Might also be worth giving Trek Aust. a call to see
what the Rolf rims are, assuming they're still coming in as Bontrager
wheels.

--
Dave Hughes | [email protected]
"The problem with people whose minds are in the gutter is that they keep
blocking my periscope."

 

[Parbs]

Random Data wrote:
>
> Without looking at them there might be some options. Anyone know what
> Shimano's low spoke count wanky wheels are (I've got a ****ling suspicion
> they're 16 spoke).

My road ones are 20 front, 24 rear. The really wanky (and horrible) mtb
wheels are 16.

Parbs

 

[Steve]

Shimano's Malaysian R500 wheels are dirt cheap & available as front or rear
only.
Steve
Ideal

 

[Resound]

"craigster_jd" <[email protected]> wrote in
message news:[email protected]...
>
> The rear rim on my commuter has cracked rather terminally, to the extent
> that it is now unrideable. (For pics, check 'here'
> (http://tinyurl.com/dtdkg/))
>
> It's part of a Xero-Lite XR-2 wheelset, and because of the low spoke
> count (20) it seems my options for getting it repaired are much
> reduced. Also the budget is pretty tight at the moment so I'm looking
> to get the bike back on the road as cheaply as possible for the last
> few months I plan to be in the country (around $100 would be nice).
> So:
>
> - Does anyone know any places in Australia which deal with Xero
> wheels?
> - Would a wheel of this type even be repairable?
> - If so, could anyone recommend a low cost 20 spoke rim which would be
> suitable?
> - Any other options (not involving expensive custom-built wheels)
>
> No need to point out that these are stupid wheels for a supposed
> 'commuting' bike - they are what the Ridgeback came with and I've
> learned my lesson. As soon as funds allow I'l get myself some decent
> wheels made up.
>
> Cheers,
> Craigster.
>

I'd say that that's not something you want repaired even if it's possible.
Depending on how long you've had it, I'd be having words with the place
where you bought it and getting them to do the replacing.

 

[Bleve]

craigster_jd wrote:
> The rear rim on my commuter has cracked rather terminally, to the extent
> that it is now unrideable. (For pics, check 'here'
> (http://tinyurl.com/dtdkg/))

That's a nasty rim failure. Do you know how it happened? You hit a
big bump? It "just happened one day"? Looks like the result of a
pretty good smack, although it could be excessive spoke tension
combined with a weakness in the rim. Low spoke count wheels have much
higher spoke tension, so the rims have to deal with a lot more stress
around the spoke holes, but that's an abnormal failure, I'd reckon.
How long have you had them?

> It's part of a Xero-Lite XR-2 wheelset, and because of the low spoke
> count (20) it seems my options for getting it repaired are much
> reduced. Also the budget is pretty tight at the moment so I'm looking
> to get the bike back on the road as cheaply as possible for the last
> few months I plan to be in the country (around $100 would be nice).
> So:
>
> - Does anyone know any places in Australia which deal with Xero
> wheels?
> - Would a wheel of this type even be repairable?
> - If so, could anyone recommend a low cost 20 spoke rim which would be
> suitable?
> - Any other options (not involving expensive custom-built wheels)

Without knowing anything much about Xero's, I'd guess that you'd be
best served by getting a wheel built by your LBS, a 32 spoker or so.
If you don't need it to be light, I'd expect you'd get away with a half
decent front wheel for around $150 or so, if you can scrounge a hub
from somewhere cheap. Rebuilding a 20 spoke wheel will be tricky,
fancy rims are not usually easy to get, and if they are available,
they'll be quite expensive.

> No need to point out that these are stupid wheels for a supposed
> 'commuting' bike - they are what the Ridgeback came with and I've
> learned my lesson. As soon as funds allow I'l get myself some decent
> wheels made up.

Decent wheels are often cheaper than fancy wheels, and usually stronger
and lighter than a lot of exotic stuff. They just lack "cool"
A lot of low end roadies these days come with stupid wheels (Shimano
R550's, Bontrager selects etc). They look fast .... but aren't really
up to the job. With wheels, it'd be nice if you did get what you paid
for!

What's a ridgeback anyway? Who makes it?

 

[craigster_jd]

craigster_jd wrote:
> The rear rim on my commuter has cracked rather terminally, to the extent
> that it is now unrideable. (For pics, check 'here'
> (http://tinyurl.com/dtdkg/))

That's a nasty rim failure. Do you know how it happened? You hit a
big bump? How long have you had them?

Had the bike for 2.5 years, but I've only done about 6-7,000k on it since then. I can't remember the specific impact. I'm 85kg and as the bike is used for (on-road) commuting, it does get thrown about about a bit and I've hit my fair share of holes...

Without knowing anything much about Xero's, I'd guess that you'd be
best served by getting a wheel built by your LBS, a 32 spoker or so.
If you don't need it to be light, I'd expect you'd get away with a half
decent front wheel for around $150 or so, if you can scrounge a hub
from somewhere cheap.

Sounds fair - I forgot to mention it's a rear wheel. Cheap, strong and repairable are my main criteria. I'll do some shopping at the w/e.

Rebuilding a 20 spoke wheel will be tricky,
fancy rims are not usually easy to get, and if they are available,
they'll be quite expensive.

I think that tells me what I had feared.... I don't think they are particularly cheap wheels either - Parker International carries some similar ones for GBP200.

What's a ridgeback anyway? Who makes it?

It's a British brand - http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/
Mines the 2003 version of the Genesis Day 01. In the past few years they have got really popular in the UK 'fast hybrid' market, in the same way as the Avanti Blade has done here. No Australian delears unfortunately - I brought mine with me...

 

[Bleve]

craigster_jd wrote:
> Bleve Wrote:
> > craigster_jd wrote:
> > > The rear rim on my commuter has cracked rather terminally, to the
> > extent
> > > that it is now unrideable. (For pics, check 'here'
> > > (http://tinyurl.com/dtdkg/))
> >
> > That's a nasty rim failure. Do you know how it happened? You hit a
> > big bump? How long have you had them?
> >
> >
> Had the bike for 2.5 years, but I've only done about 6-7,000k on it
> since then. I can't remember the specific impact. I'm 85kg and as the
> bike is used for (on-road) commuting, it does get thrown about about a
> bit and I've hit my fair share of holes...

I'd expect any wheel to last a lot longer than that, unless it got a
real hammering, like doing freeride jumps or hitting Dutchys Pothole

> Bleve Wrote:
> >
> > Without knowing anything much about Xero's, I'd guess that you'd be
> > best served by getting a wheel built by your LBS, a 32 spoker or so.
> > If you don't need it to be light, I'd expect you'd get away with a
> > half
> > decent front wheel for around $150 or so, if you can scrounge a hub
> > from somewhere cheap.
> >
> Sounds fair - I forgot to mention it's a rear wheel. Cheap, strong and
> repairable are my main criteria. I'll do some shopping at the w/e.

No, you didn't, I just skip-read it too briefly
You'll probably be able to pick up a s/h 105 rear hub pretty cheap, and
they're easy to service, to be just about as good as new in most cases.


> > What's a ridgeback anyway? Who makes it?
> It's a British brand - http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/
> Mines the 2003 version of the Genesis Day 01. In the past few years
> they have got really popular in the UK 'fast hybrid' market, in the
> same way as the Avanti Blade has done here. No Australian delears
> unfortunately - I brought mine with me...

*nod*

 

[TimC]

On 2006-02-02, Bleve (aka Bruce)
was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
> craigster_jd wrote:
>> Bleve Wrote:
>> > That's a nasty rim failure. Do you know how it happened? You hit a
>> > big bump? How long have you had them?
>> >
>> >
>> Had the bike for 2.5 years, but I've only done about 6-7,000k on it
>> since then. I can't remember the specific impact. I'm 85kg and as the
>> bike is used for (on-road) commuting, it does get thrown about about a
>> bit and I've hit my fair share of holes...
>
> I'd expect any wheel to last a lot longer than that, unless it got a
> real hammering, like doing freeride jumps or hitting Dutchys Pothole

And even then, you wouldn't expect the wheel to fail -- only the
carbon fibre frame. I think siggy wants to comment about fuses.

--
TimC
A transistor protected by a fast-acting fuse will protect
the fuse by blowing first. --unknown

 

[kyle Foo]

Dear Craigster,

I wonder if you are interest in carbon bike rims?
700c tubular or clincher you use?

price of 100$, i think we have some types for your reference.
our company site: http://sonata.en.alibaba.com/ it is our shop on Alibaba.com

Best regards
kyle Foo
[email protected]
Sonata Composite Sport Co.,ltd