RickL

Not sure if this should be posted here or in the Recumbent section, but it is a tandem.

We have managed to destroy the the 40 spoke rear wheel on our Rans Seavo recumbent tandem and our local bike shop, in Victoria, BC, Canada, is having a hard time sourcing a replacement rim to rebuild the wheel. They have basically said they can only do it if we can supply the rim.

Rans is, of course, no longer an option. PHOENIX BIKE WRX, who bought the Rans inventory, says they are not longer supporting older Rans bikes, so they are not a likely source.

Does anyone have a 40 hole 26 inch rim that I can buy or know a good place to get one? I've already Googled 26 inch 40 hole bicycle rim so I have a couple of possibilities but I thought this community might have some better ideas.

bboy314

Velocity Dyad
https://www.velocityusa.com/product/rims/dyad-26

Sun Rhyno Lite
https://velomine.com/products/rim-sunringle-26-559x22-rhyno-lite-40-black-msw

Paul J

Velocityusa.com has options for you to consider. I'm pretty surprised your bike shop wouldn't know of this option.

Rick

Peter White Cycles lists the VTY4000M-55936 Velocity 26"/559 Cliffhanger black 40h Machined Sidewalls $120.00. You would need to call to confirm it is in stock and to get the current price and order. This is the strongest rim Velocity currently makes. I have the Velocity Psycho rims in 36 no longer made on my touring bicycle. The Andra 40 made in 32 and 36 is currently the strongest and heaviest rim available.

RCMoeur 

I could see a new 40 hole rim in 559 size being tough to source, but not impossible (kind of the way that narrow high-pressure 26" tires are becoming).

Here's another up-vote for Velocity rims. I have several sets of 26" wheels built with 36 hole Deep Vs, and they have proven to be remarkably durable and maintenance-free. It's too bad Velocity stopped making the Deep V in 26" size a couple of decades ago. I have heard good things about their other rims as well.

Our tandem has 48 spoke wheels, on which I've had to replace the rims (Sun Rhynos) once. Should I have to replace them again, I could see that possibly being a problem. But so far so good.

Regarding Rans: I have a 1983 Nimbus. The frame had a problem which needed warranty service in the 80s, and the fork needed replacement in 1992, which Rans handled at no charge. But about a decade ago I snapped the original aluminum handlebar, and they couldn't help me at all as they'd liquidated all the old 80s parts long before that. Ended up having to use a steel Sunlite ape-hanger bar - it works, but isn't as elegant as the original model.

tandemdr

A bit late on this but if it still helps, https://www.PrecisionTandems.com/catalogpartsweb.htm#rims has one remaing 26"/559 Velocity Chukker Rim, in black with a machined sidewall rim. This now discontinued rim (unfortunately) in the 26" 559 size is very strong with its 32mm deep section while having the width of the Dyad making it the go to favorite for heavy teams, triplets, quads, even quints, and also recumbents. At the end of the day it should be stronger than the also discontinued 26" 559 Deep V due to its extra width. It also better supports wider tires than the Deep V.

Here is the rim profile for a visual.
https://www.precisiontandems.com/cat...chukkerdim.jpg

And if you need proof, here is a photo of a 26" 559 Chukker with 48 holes supporting almost 1,000 pounds!
https://www.precisiontandems.com/bra...ran_2015_3.jpg

RickL

Thank you everyone for helping me out. I ended up contacting Velocity directly and, on their advice, ordered two NoBS rims (one to repair, one as a spare ), which fit the tires I use better than the also recommended Cliffhangers. The ordering process was simple and the person answering my emails, Tom Black, was very helpful.

I love these communities !