i need help on bicycle rims, i have 8 question. need for college!?

55 Comments

1. Budd the lensman says:

   May 6, 2010 at 4:52 am

   Choosing fine rims for bikes shouldn’t be that tough—for road bikes, mountain bikes—plenty of specifications are very meticulous. The best rims are definitely from France’s MAVIC—for mt. bike rims—-disc-specific, even rim brake types are available ( black colors are best) Crossland,Crossmax are lightweight and can take the abuse of wild riders. Hubs with 32 or 28 hole configurations—Shimano,especially from the XTR series ROCK! Check these websites for MORE—-www.jensonusa.com,www.pricepoint.com,www.bicycling.com
2. Roberto says:

   May 6, 2010 at 5:48 am

   Well… you’re asking a lot of questions, and probably you need some other ones to ask.

   There are different type of rims, depending on what you look for.

   On mountain bikes, rims come in 24″, 26″ and 29″ diameters. 26″ are the most common, 24″ are for some dirtjump or freeride bikes, and 29″ for XC or trail bikes.

   On mountain wheels, there are several manufacturers. I prefer DT Swiss over Mavic (I have both, both are pretty good but DT Swiss is a little tougher). Weight goes from something of 345 grams for some of the lightest ones, but usually you will find from 400 to 800 grams.

   Now, in a wheelset, hubs are usually a lot more expensive than the rims. Also spokes come into consideration, while not very expensive, there are a lot!

   About hubs, well, the 2007 shimano XTR and 2008 XT looks very good (but probably expensive, I really haven’t looked at prices). Also, check for Hope Pro II hubs, which are very good and not that expensive.

   Mavic rims are pretty good, but avoid Mavic wheelsets. Either too expensive or not good enough for the price. It’s not that they’re bad, but they’re not as good.

   Look for wheels with 32 spokes (28 would be ok if you’re a lightweight person and ride cross country), but for a heavier guy or more agressive riding, 24 or 28 would be like riding on noodles. I had some Mavic Crosslands, and when I changed to XT Hubs laced to Mavic rims, the difference in stiffness was like night and day.

   I don’t know whats your budget… Building on Mavic, DT Swiss or building a machine wheelset (like Mavics, Shimano XT, XTR) could cost you above 600 bucks.

   I got for close to 500 a very nice wheelset of DT Swiss DT 5.1 rims laced to Hope Bulb hubs and they’re pretty sweat.

   XT hubs laced to Sun Ryhno lites or similar could cost you around 200 bucks. Deore to Sun probably 100 to 150 bucks, which are a nice, basic entry.
3. mirageguitarworks says:

   May 6, 2010 at 6:02 am

   There are no single answers to your questions.

   Do you understand that the rim is the part of the wheel that holds the tire, the hub is the part that allows the wheel assembly to turn? Combination of rim, hub, and spokes make the wheel.

   1) There is no ideal weight. This depends on how you will use the bicycle and what the material is. Since the rim is the outside of the wheel it will be most efficient when it is very light. When a rim is very light it will be either very weak or very expensive.

   2) There should be no worry about the weight of a hub. It is too close to the center of the wheel revolution to make a significant difference in inertial forces. I prefer more strength instead of lighter weight, like Phil Wood or Hi-E hubs.

   3) I think you have already asked this question. Most kids bike rims are 16″, 20″, and 24″. Most adult bike rims are 26″, 27″, 650C (571mm), and 700C (622mm) in diameter.

   4) Aluminum is the best for durability and value when making rims. Magnesium looks promising in the near future. Titanium and carbon fiber are too flexible or too breakable and way too expensive for rims.

   5) You cannot separate hubs from bearings. You must have bearings inside hubs. My preference is for stainless steel ball bearings with hardened steel races and cones. Many people prefer sealed bearings but I like to service my own hubs without replacement.

   6) Most modern hubs use sealed roller bearings, usually made from carbon steel but these are not serviceable.

   7) You asked this before. Please note your last question.
   There are many brands of bicycles from all over the world. You will have to do this research by yourself.

   I do not think you are using this for college. It seems you are making market analysis for your product. If this is true you are cheating yourself by asking others for this information.
4. danielflores890 says:

   May 6, 2010 at 6:42 am

   1. i would say the standard weight is about 4 pounds.
   2. i dont know what you mean.
   3. kids size: 20 inches, adult size: 24 inches.
   4. the 2 best a light material on bike rims is 7075 aluminum is is air craft grade aluminum very strong and light
   5. i would use a hub with sealed bearings they are strong and they last long.
   6. well there are two types sealed and unsealed, unsealed is a bearings that are lose in the hub, they are cheaper but dont last as long. sealed are bearing that are sealed and not lose in the hub they last longer and are usually more expensive
   7. theres 16 inch 20 inch 24 inch and 26 inch the 16 inch i used on really small bikes 20 inch rims are used on bmx bike 24 and 26 are used on mountain and racing bikes.
   8. i do not know what you mean.