I noticed this bulge last week. I bought this bike brand new 8 months and haven't noticed it until last week.
The wheel is 'Giant SLR 1 40 Carbon Disc'.
I've been looking at pictures I took when the bike arrived and I can't see any sign of this. The pictures are fairly blurry though so I've found it quite hard to tell. I do think I would've noticed it previously however.
The wheels are still within warranty so I'm just trying to figure out what to do. Is this normal? Could it just be a join in the carbon that hasn't been finished too well. I haven't noticed any difference in ride quality.
by Important_Forever_49
16 Comments
Got to your bike shop and ask them.
Not normal, they are damaged. I’d claim warranty to the seller.
I would warranty them, picture #3 being the main inspiration of my opinion.
Take it/show it to the shop. Depending on whether or not some form of impact damage is found, this will be warranty or crash replacement (if they offer such a program).
I don’t think this wheel is safe to ride.
That’s a manufacturing defect, or you hit something hard just right. Either way that sucker does not look safe at all to me. I almost always err on the side of carbon being a lot tougher than people think but structural damage to a wheel is where I say hell no.
Even based on the best looking pic there, they are still not rideable (safely). Never trust your life on wheels that look that bad. Warranty it, and argue with them if they don’t. Clearly a manufacturer defect. I had a cheap ass aluminum front wheel from State several years ago that looked a little sketchy when I set it up tubeless and it blew out the side of the wheel on a slight descent going about 35 mph. Luckily I was fine, could have been way worse. State warrantied that wheel, but I never used the new one. I just didn’t trust it.
Do not ride that
That’s not a bulge, that’s a split (pic #3). DO NOT RIDE
that’s not a bulge, it’s a crack, definitely get it looked at under warranty.
Those are done Son
Shits fucked mate
Warranty issue. Wheel is failing + the aerodynamics are ruined, I tell you. Ruined. If you ride it you will be losing at least 0.018 watts per mile and never be able to keep up at your local group ride.
I have SLR1 rims (rim brake version) with the exact same problem.
The thing is, the carbon part is just an aero accessory. Structure of the rim is made of aluminium, so you’re safe.
Toast
My Specialized wheel did the same thing. They were able to repair it under warranty. Then it got lost shipping g it so i ended up with a new one