Should I buy all-black bike rims ?
04-29-22, 05:26 AM
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Should I buy all-black bike rims ?
Hi
I want to swap out my silver/plain metal bike wheel rims for all black. See:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/wheelsbr...ods-rim-black/
But should i be concerned the brake pad surface will wear down and rub off the black coating ?
Are there standards or quality issues i should check / ask about before purchase ?
If any one else has experience of all colour bike wheel rims - appreciate any advice or comment.
Cheers.
SP
I want to swap out my silver/plain metal bike wheel rims for all black. See:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/wheelsbr...ods-rim-black/
But should i be concerned the brake pad surface will wear down and rub off the black coating ?
Are there standards or quality issues i should check / ask about before purchase ?
If any one else has experience of all colour bike wheel rims - appreciate any advice or comment.
Cheers.
SP
Last edited by snazpizaz; 04-29-22 at 05:27 AM. Reason: extra info
04-29-22, 05:45 AM
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The black Ambrosio rims that came on my Bianchi CD'I wore to bare aluminum on the brake surfaces fairly quickly.
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04-29-22, 06:56 AM
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I had Wolber dark anodized rims that showed no wear after thousands of miles.
I've often thought about switching my silver rims to dark anodized, but the thought that they could eventually wear through keeps me in silver. One less thing to think about.
I've often thought about switching my silver rims to dark anodized, but the thought that they could eventually wear through keeps me in silver. One less thing to think about.
04-29-22, 07:18 AM
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I have all red anodized rims on my "errand" bike. After 400-500 miles, silver is showing through on the brake surfaces.
04-29-22, 07:58 AM
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I have both Shimano and Mavic "black" rims but they were both made with bare aluminum brake tracks. The makers were sure the black, either paint or anodizing, would wear off very quickly.
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04-29-22, 08:18 AM
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I wouldn't bother trying to expect any black rim's brake tracks to stay black unless they were ceramic coated which are pretty rare these days. If you really want black, get rims that have bare/machined brake surfaces that at least will have a nicely even looking bare surface.
04-29-22, 10:09 AM
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Here are a couple of images of a rim I put on my commuter bike a couple years ago. I'm just happy the wear is even!
Brand-new rim on the freshly-built wheel.
Here's what it looks like now. Not bad... just a little dirty!
04-29-22, 10:43 AM
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My first thought is where do you ride? Does it get hot and is there a bright sun? If you park your bike in the sun while enjoying an espresso, then touch the rim, it might be very hot. Now, here in the PNW, that's not much if an issue. (When it hits 117F we simply don't ride.)
04-29-22, 11:04 AM
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Hmmm, I just realized I do indeed have a bike with all black rims and they are holding up beautifully. It has disc brakes. 
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04-29-22, 11:15 AM
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That's OK. No one's perfect.
04-30-22, 09:24 AM
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THANKS folks - all comments welcome and of use building the picture...
@sweeks - thanks for the evidence - it brings home the brake pad message well -
Mine would be for a light use commutor/liesure / about town bike in London UK
Actually i was walking around town yesterday and couldn't help noticing just how many black wheel rimmed bikes were around - seem popular, particually on these new hybrid electric / mountain bikes - but maybe these are being used with disc brakes or maybe the coating tech has updated beyond powder/anodised/ceramic options.... ?
sp
@sweeks - thanks for the evidence - it brings home the brake pad message well -
Mine would be for a light use commutor/liesure / about town bike in London UK
Actually i was walking around town yesterday and couldn't help noticing just how many black wheel rimmed bikes were around - seem popular, particually on these new hybrid electric / mountain bikes - but maybe these are being used with disc brakes or maybe the coating tech has updated beyond powder/anodised/ceramic options.... ?
sp
05-03-22, 09:12 AM
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Actually i was walking around town yesterday and couldn't help noticing just how many black wheel rimmed bikes were around - seem popular, particually on these new hybrid electric / mountain bikes - but maybe these are being used with disc brakes or maybe the coating tech has updated beyond powder/anodised/ceramic options.... ?
05-03-22, 09:48 AM
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Hi
I want to swap out my silver/plain metal bike wheel rims for all black. See:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/wheelsbr...ods-rim-black/
But should i be concerned the brake pad surface will wear down and rub off the black coating ?
Are there standards or quality issues i should check / ask about before purchase ?
If any one else has experience of all colour bike wheel rims - appreciate any advice or comment.
Cheers.
SP
I want to swap out my silver/plain metal bike wheel rims for all black. See:
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/wheelsbr...ods-rim-black/
But should i be concerned the brake pad surface will wear down and rub off the black coating ?
Are there standards or quality issues i should check / ask about before purchase ?
If any one else has experience of all colour bike wheel rims - appreciate any advice or comment.
Cheers.
SP
Much better to just buy a rim with a machined brake surface.
