Life span of wheels?

[Daveyraveygravey]

I have a Giant Propel with rim brakes and do 5,000 miles annually, I ride more in the summer but I do still ride 50-60 miles a week in the colder wetter months. I've had the Propel three years now and have just been told I need a second replacement set of wheels as the brake track is scored and pitted. Apparently, they "could implode". Is this reasonable? Should I get more mileage from a set of wheels? They're pretty basic, so good job I am not wearing out a fancy set of wheels every 18 months or so...

[Jimbo.]

It’s not unreasonable. All depends upon how mucky/salty/gritty, how well maintained they are (rims AND pads), how much you brake, how fast you ride and how heavy you are.

Iv’ve seen wheels die after one particularly grim winter: the owner cycled c. 60-100 miles/week but never cleaned the rims properly (with one of those abrasive rubber stones) or picked out the crap from the pads.

[Dave2t]

Doesn't sound too bad, but maybe consider a nice pair of hand built wheels so you can replace just the rim when you need to? Some decent hubs and kinlin rims won't cost he earth and built up to a reasonable weight.

[Master Bean]

I wore the braking track down on my Mavic Aksiums in about 5000 miles. Winter and some dodgy off road rides knackered them.

[lufbramatt]

I'll never forget seeing my dad's back wheel explode riding down a hill on the Isle of Wight a few years back! The rim split along the brake track and instantly turned into a Pringle from the force of the inner tube, locking it up. Luckily it was the rear that went. If the brake track feels concave it's time to think about getting it rebuilt.

[Daveyraveygravey]

lufbramatt said:

I'll never forget seeing my dad's back wheel explode riding down a hill on the Isle of Wight a few years back! The rim split along the brake track and instantly turned into a Pringle from the force of the inner tube, locking it up. Luckily it was the rear that went. If the brake track feels concave it's time to think about getting it rebuilt.

Both ends feel concave so I think I better get them sorted. Going to Italy in two months, don't want one of them going bang over there!

[Jimbo.]

Whilst not the biggest variable, some rims can be soft as st: the otherwise very nice H Plus Son Archtype is reportedly made from cheese, whereas others are more durable. The penalty is of course weight and internal rim width.

Maybe worth buying a cheap set of wheels for winter, saving the nice ones for summer?

[TheInternet]

Daveyraveygravey said:

Both ends feel concave so I think I better get them sorted.

There are often wear indicators in the braking track to give some guidance. I seem to recall wearing an old set of mine to around double the advised wear level before I learnt of the need to replace. Fortunately my wheels have an easy time and nothing untoward occurred.