Ok, I bent the new rim... Looking for a stronger rim.

PedalPedal

10 mW
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Jun 20, 2015
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Bought a BMX rim. The LBS cut some spokes for the motor. I built the wheel. Rode for months.

Last night I hit the 1.5 inch high threshold between a road and a driveway at a small angle and bent the rim. :oops: I really hate those thresholds because I've had several pinch flats from them-hence the steep angle. (Good news is that I was only a loooong walk - one mile from work.)

Since frame is too narrow (Rotovelo) for a fat rim/tire I'm looking for a stronger rim. The kit weighs about 260 lbs. including me.

The motor is a MAC 10. The wheel is 20 inch.
 
What kind of bend did it suffer? Sidewall dented? Or, was the entire rim bent? If it's just the sidewall, I'd bend it back, true the wheel, and keep running it. What type of tire/tube are you running? Can you fit a little bigger tire in there? I'd run a Maxxis Hookworm with a thorn-resistant tube and pump it up to max pressure. It won't be a smooth ride, but it will help prevent pinch-flats. Is it possible to avoid those thresholds or at least slow down for them?
 
The rim was fixed. It wobbles a little but it is not noticeable when riding.
Thanks for the suggestions.
The thresholds are everywhere now. 45 degrees seems to be the best angle, that and low speed works OK for me.
 
Alex DM series rims are great!
Abused it hard by riding on a flat for 5 miles, just sanded down the sharp edges. It is a stout rim!
 
ions82 said:
If it's just the sidewall, I'd bend it back, true the wheel, and keep running it.

Eventually that will probably crack, and spread, like this, which started because i bent such an impact-bend back:

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Another identical rim with similar (worse) impact-bend I left alone, and it's still usable

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Another source for rims, tubes, tires..... anything scootercycle-like.

I was going to purchase, but shipping to Canada is expensive. So I just look on ebay, one motorcycle shop has an ebay store with thousands of parts I just keep an eye on. Kijiji is online classifieds but not as much selection locally. Motorcycle junk yards is another source, there is a guy local to me who has a farm/acreage a ways past city limits that had aisles of wheels. Could be something local to you. I find that local motorcycle dealerships want make, model and year for any parts you order, and if they order it in, which they'd have to, and its not the right part, then theres most likely no return policy.

I bought spare Alex DM rims, and spare spokes, like instead of 36 spokes, I bought 50 or 60. Because I have the same rim as a spare, and its highly unlikely the motor will change.

www.treatland.tv - https://www.treatland.tv/new-puch-peugeot-motobecane-vespa-moped-parts-s/88.htm
 
Nice article btw Spinning Magnets
https://www.electricbike.com/moped-rims-tires-hubmotors/

Bicycle - Motorcycle
20" - 16" or 17"
24" - 19"
26" - 20" <I was on the hunt for one, but they are old rims, popular way back when. If its for sale, its probably expensive. However this article is stating that their is a resurgence. https://motocrossactionmag.com/the-20-inch-tire-revolution/
Rarity - https://thumpertalk.com/forums/topic/976582-do-20-tires-still-exist/
The 20" died because essentially, the tires were wider then the 21" tires not allowing the 20" tires to sink into the 21" ruts making cornering problematic.


spinningmagnets said:
20-inch bicycle rim is the same diameter as a 16-inch moped rim...maybe an option.
 
Just be ready for the effect the extra wheel weight will have on the handling.... Those steel rims are heavy, and wheels are just about the worst place to add unnecessary weight with the way the spinning magnifies the weight difference.
 
I am looking at this thread because I am trying to find a suitable rim for my rotovelo 20" 406.

I want to build a wheel using the NuVinci 380 (125mm flange diameter). It will be used with a BBS02 in the front. Any rim recomendations would be welcome.
 
Alex DM24 in 20" 32mm wide so might be too wide for you.
https://www.ebikes.ca/shop/electric-bicycle-parts/rims/rim20-dm24.html

Crystalyte 20" 31mm wide
https://www.ebikes.ca/shop/electric-bicycle-parts/rims/r-rim20j31.html

Over those 2, I'd pick Alex DM24

More options here, with quick fast shipping
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/rims?f=4294958219&sort=pricelow
I'd go with Sun Ringle Envy BMX 20" 36h 28.5mm wide rim
 
The best preventer of pinch flats and rim damage is as large of tires as you can stick on the bike, plus as high PSI as you can get.
Suspension will help do the job as well. But a large diameter of compressed air inside a tire is your best defense.
 
The best prevention for pinch flats and rim damage is riding tubeless with Cush Core inserts and half a cup of slime. That is because the insert won’t let the rim pinch the tire or touch the ground. It won’t let the tire off the rim, even riding on a flat. The slime will plug most of the flats, and those that aren’t can be fixed quickly with a tubeless plug.
 
AF7JA said:
I am looking at this thread because I am trying to find a suitable rim for my rotovelo 20" 406.

I want to build a wheel using the NuVinci 380 (125mm flange diameter). It will be used with a BBS02 in the front. Any rim recomendations would be welcome.
Grin has these
https://www.ebikes.ca/shop/electric-bicycle-parts/rims.html?rim_nom_size=62

If you can fit it in there, I'd go with
https://www.ebikes.ca/shop/electric-bicycle-parts/rims/rim20-fat.html
and the widest tire you can use on it. If you want good flat protection, and don't mind weight, you can use the Shinko SR714 moped tire, in 2.5" (maybe even 3", if they'll fit in teh frame/fork). They have other kinds with different treads and featurs, but these work well on my SB Cruiser in city conditions.

Otherwise there's a bunch of good tire recommendations around the forum if you need something different than what you have.
 
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