Bent rim = repair or just buy a new wheel?
01-09-14, 02:30 PM
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Bent rim = repair or just buy a new wheel?
I picked up a nice old 2005 Scott S1 Speedster but it has a rear rim bent so badly (dented) that it can't be repaired. The wheels are Shimano WH-R550 and the rear is 20 spokes. Specs are here
velospec.com/components/shimano/whr550
I can't find an exact replacement rim online, but a similar DT Swiss rim is about $80 - $100. Add in the charge to repair (I'm not that good with wheels) and it seems I might be better off just buying another complete wheel? Unless there is a source for the original (I'm hoping less expensive) rim? The hub and spokes otherwise seem fine.
velospec.com/components/shimano/whr550
I can't find an exact replacement rim online, but a similar DT Swiss rim is about $80 - $100. Add in the charge to repair (I'm not that good with wheels) and it seems I might be better off just buying another complete wheel? Unless there is a source for the original (I'm hoping less expensive) rim? The hub and spokes otherwise seem fine.
01-09-14, 02:47 PM
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The WH-R550 wheel sets use straight pull spokes with the nipples at the hub end and a specific rim design that takes the nail-head end of the spokes. I don't think any rim intended to take regular J-bend spokes with the nipples at the rim end will work. so, unless you can source an exact match(or WH-R560 rim) I think you are out of luck. Look here for details and part numbers:
https://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830607425.PDF
https://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830728614.pdf
https://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830607425.PDF
https://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830728614.pdf
01-10-14, 12:46 AM
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Thanks for the reply. That's pretty much what I suspected and confirms my wariness with "novel" bike part designs. It may look cool, weigh a gram less and offer a two-second advantage over ten miles, but come next year parts will be unobtanium. I'll keep an eye out for a similar wheel (as I have the "matching" front) used, but otherwise consign it to the parts bin.
01-10-14, 03:06 AM
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Nothing novel about any design like this anymore, this type of design has been fairly standard for 10+ years now. For spares, Shimano are better than most for availability, cost effectiveness vs complete replacement is another thing. With Shimano max 10 years / 3 generations is about the norm for availability, being realistic, if you have parts older, they will probably be worn out by that time.
01-10-14, 08:27 AM
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You'll find WH500 wheels and wheelsets where they sell used bike parts e.g. eBay.
01-10-14, 11:06 AM
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