rims and spokes

[1965paulh]

hello all , im new to @s although i have a garage full of other bikes . ive just bought a real nice 98 U.K. @ ,however the rims and spokes are mankey and im interested in having them anodized. i have 3 questions for all the @ experts out there -1 is the orrigional rim finnish anodizing ? 2 there seems to be various types / grades of anodizing - which is best and who would you recommend ? 3 where can i get stainless steel spokes ?
all help / sugestions will be appreciated - Paul

[faantjie]

Hi and welcome. I have all the same questions about my wheels. I'm about to send my wheels off to be rebuilt by these guys, www.central-wheel.co.uk.

They can probably answer all you're questions. I'm getting mine done in black laced with stainless spokes.
Hope you get on ok.....
:P :P

[BlindPugh]

You are going to need new rims - the DID ones are absolute crap and if the corrosion is into the surface then you can forget getting a good finish by anodising them now. Have you checked around the valve hole on the inside ( tyre side ) of the rim - this is usually the first place it starts like a dull grey volcanic eruption which eats its way through the rim.

I would save my money and have the wheels built with new rims and spokes - doing anything to the DID rims is just throwing money away IMHO as it seems the corrosion problem is a metalurgical problem which anodising is just not going to cure - also I think anodising goes into the metal surface not over the top of it , pretty sure it is not waterproof ( somebody with better knowledge will be along soon to correct this information)

[faantjie]

Just had a chat with Central wheel folk:

"They reccomended powdercoating as it is more durable and will give a better finis if the wheel is pitted."
"Annodising sits on the rim"
"They will blast the original before applying a new coat."

Not trying to outsmart anyone here, just quoting them because I don't know either.


They quoted £ 450.00 all in to get the wheels rebuilt with stainless spokes in a black finished new rim incl. vat and P&P for my TA wheels.

Using you're own would cost around £260 all in. I think powdercoating will be the way I go. Just need to watch when I replace a tyre.

Does anyone know what finish the 06 TA has on it's wheels? If that is powdercoat I'm sold.

The turnaround time is around three weeks. This might be left for winter...

[faantjie]

You are going to need new rims - the DID ones are absolute cr*p and if the corrosion is into the surface then you can forget getting a good finish by anodising them now. Have you checked around the valve hole on the inside ( tyre side ) of the rim - this is usually the first place it starts like a dull grey volcanic eruption which eats its way through the rim.

I would save my money and have the wheels built with new rims and spokes - doing anything to the DID rims is just throwing money away IMHO as it seems the corrosion problem is a metalurgical problem which anodising is just not going to cure - also I think anodising goes into the metal surface not over the top of it , pretty sure it is not waterproof ( somebody with better knowledge will be along soon to correct this information)

Are you doing anything with you're wheels on the rebuild project?

[Whealie]

I have a spare set of @ wheels (grotty but sound) if anyone wants to borrow them while their good ones are being rebuilt, so your bike is not off the road.
PM me. I'm in south-east London and collection would be better than posting.

[1965paulh]

hi again, thanks for all the suggestions/advice. i too had originally thought of powder coating the rims however i have i one underlying concern - powder coating is a relatively thick coating, will this block the holes in the rims that the spokes go through? i realise that the holes could be cleaned out will a dremmel or similar but i always wonder if this would break the integrity/seal of the powder coating. ie back in the day when plastic coating was the way to go if the surface was broken by a stonechip or similar, when the water got in the whole thing was a disaster. any thoughts or views on this would be appreciated.

[1965paulh]

i forgot to ask - what is the 06 TA that is being referred to , and where can i get pictures / photos / details ?

[faantjie]

i forgot to ask - what is the 06 TA that is being referred to , and where can i get pictures / photos / details ?

Hi
2006 model Trans Alp. The new one's wheels are black. True what you are saying about powdercoating but thats why a dummy like me pays a clever bloke whose done it before. I'm sure as soon as the wheels come back a quick inspection will confirm this. There is a mag called BSH (Back Street Hero), it's all about custom bikes. I'm sure if you give one of the custom bike builders they would be happy sharing some info with you regarding powdercoating wheels. Sorry I cannot give you all the technical info you need. Unable to comment on experience but will be able too soon.

[BlindPugh]

In response to question on my rebuild - I already had a set of wheels rebuilt a couple of years ago by Brickwood Wheels ( which I think is now something to do with Central-Wheel Components ). I had plain alloy with oversize stainless spokes which cost me around £280 for both wheels including all new spokes,nipples and rims with cost of building. These alloy rims are a lot better quality than standard DID ones - In hindsight I should have got them powder coated as polishing and cleaning wheels is not my favourite thing.

On the subject of Powder coating - the coating is not thick enough to block holes as big as a spoke hole. The finished thickness is quite thin but very tough. Probably more durable than an anodised finish too.