Got a little Wylie Coyote today putting on a tire on my Velocity Blunt SS wheels.
Accidentally pushed the lever into the center causing this crack.
I am setting these up tubeless and going on a 200 mile bikepacking trip tomorrow. Has anyone done this before? Will the rim survive? I assume it’s not long for this world, but hoping to get through the trip.
by Timeskillinus
18 Comments
I’ve been super rough on my rims in regards to using tire levers on it. Never has this happened even once before. I would get new rims ASAP.
Why are you even using tyre levers I’ve never needed them and I work in a shop
Could you continue to ride on it for the short term? NOT recommended, but probably.
If it were me, I would replace this before the trip. I wouldn’t want to run the risk of having this become an issue midway through a 200 mile trip. Easier to have that replaced before hand.
Drill a small hole at the other of the Crack so it can’t propagate further. Tape and go. Check it from time to time but with the small hole stopping the crack and relieving the stress, unless you way over pressure the tire it should be fine.
Definitely get a new rim, and I’d avoid velocity if you’re going to abuse it. I swear their rims are made of cheese and there are better, stronger options out there that are just as light.
Using metal tire levers?
I seem to break my plastic tire levers before any damage is done to the rim.
I would think that rim is done for. I personally wouldn’t trust riding on it.
I would drill a hole at the end of the tear to stop it from going any further and call it a day.
damn how hard were you pushing on that ?
Done what before? Ridden on a cracked rim? What are you looking to get from this thread?
I assume metal lever that is biggest mistake throw them away.
Were you using plastic tire levers? That seems odd, like maybe there was a defect in the metal. If you were using metal tire levers, stop doing that. If you have another wheel, I would swap it. But, if you don’t, I agree with the other comment, drill a small hole at the very end of the crack. That should prevent the crack from spreading – then you can replace it at your leisure. The crack is on the inside of the rim, not at an eyelet. It really shouldn’t be an issue. I had a Rolf pull a spoke through the rim about 40 miles from home. I ended up removing the brake cable so the wheel could make a full rotation and rode it home. I cracked a rim on a pothole once, again, had to disable the brake, but rode it home. If it were my bike, and I didnt have time to replace it before the ride, i would ride it as is. But drilling a hole is a good move.
Jesus, what kind of tire lever are you using? Let us know so we don’t make the same mistake.
Dril tiny hole to stop crack propagating, use some jb-weld, piece of electrical tape to get it flush. Inspect after few hundred km/miles. Ride on.
Jb weld lol
If it’s alu, drill a little hole to stop the crack propagating, new rim tape, and don’t worry about it. If carbon… this might be a problem.
Let us know how it goes
This is fine. In general you’d be shocked how much material you can remove and still have a sufficiently strong unit.
Come on, have you seen cutout rims for fat bikes? They’re basically a net.
They drill out holes for spokes, whether it’s 24, or 32, or 36, or even 40, and they all use the same section of aluminum.
This is a mountain tire that you’re setting up tubeless. The tubeless tape bridges gaps over spoke holes and seals just fine. It’s designed to hold the pressure.
Jeez if you want to get really technical the material you’ve interrupted here is akin to the difference between drilling a rim for a shader valve vs presta, and those go through both walls of a double wall rim! This is a tiny fraction of how impactful that is.
You should’ve SEEN the drillium monsters of days gone by! The throwaway mindset of the wrenching culture these days needs an overhaul.
K I’ll get off my soapbox.
This is fine, you’ll be fine. It’s a good idea to terminate the crack by drilling a 1/16” hole at the end of it, but the fact is this was not caused by stress experienced during riding, so there’s no driving force for the crack to propagate. Do it if it makes you feel better, don’t do it if it makes you nervous.
Do make sure there’s no sharp edges that could damage your tubeless tape. You can do this with nice fine sandpaper, just run it over the area a couple times, and run your finger over it. If it feels smooth, you’re good.
Maybe don’t run this at like 150psi, but at mountain pressures you’re absolutely fine. Cheers.
Levers are for removing tires, never for installing tires is what I was taught.
But the new style rims and tires are a challenge.