Repairing a damaged rim.

[silversonic]

Hi Chaps.

 

This weekend my beloved Rolf rear rim cracked right on the spoke nipple.

 

I realise this is a vintage wheelset with various differing spoke tensions with technical details shrouded in mystery, though it's levels of performance are truly astounding. (i weigh 63 kg's)

 

Time is of the essence, and am going to take it to Cape Town's top specialist welder for a repair evaluation.

 

Would there be any other Cape Town based specialist wheel builders to consult with for this repair, ito keeping the wheel true ect?

 

 

 

 

[David Marshall]

Don't waste your time.  All good things come to an end.

[Vetseun]

Ja Pal. Time to scrap the rim.

Wheel failure can be an ugly thing. Wheel failure at speed can be a deadly thing.

[silversonic]

Thank you, just realised have a friend with an unused Vigor back wheel and will chat to him. (think the freebody could be problematic on his)

 

Anyhow, here is a close-up of the original rim damage:

 

[David Marshall]

Rim cracks are caused by fatigue so even if you could repair it it would soon go at another nipple.  My advice is to steer clear of this kind of wheel as there are very few "engineers" in this country able to understand Rolf's design and those that do would rather not work on them.

[Schnavel]

Bin it - the cost saved by repairing the rim vs buying a new one will not be worth it when you are lying in a hospital bed...

[Eldron]

I loved my Vigors back in the day but when they start cracking they don't stop. I'm pretty sure if you give the rest of the rim a good check you'll find more than a few hairlines.... Check the other rim well too!

[DJR]

+1 for retiring the Rolf.

 

Make a wind chime of the rim and your cycling medals! Post pictures here!

[Christie]

+1 for writing it off, perhaps keep an eye on the classifieds for a replacement wheel.

 

@David M: probably true, there are very few engineers working in cycling in SA. South Industries, perhaps? (But they do carbon rims)

[dave303e]

if you love them so you can make a massive clock for your garage wall....

[DJR]

+1 for writing it off, perhaps keep an eye on the classifieds for a replacement wheel.

 

@David M: probably true, there are very few engineers working in cycling in SA. South Industries, perhaps? (But they do carbon rims)

They do come up for sale every now and again and usually for very reasonable prices too.

[silversonic]

Here's an interesting article: (and factory tour)

 

https://bikerumor.com/2018/01/31/factory-tour-paired-spokes-or-not-rolf-prima-is-still-going-strong/

[DJR]

Here's an interesting article: (and factory tour)

 

https://bikerumor.com/2018/01/31/factory-tour-paired-spokes-or-not-rolf-prima-is-still-going-strong/

Cool read, thanks for sharing the link 

[Wayne pudding Mol]

I have just bought a set of the vector comps on here for reasonable money - how to make them work with campy groupset is going to be interesting.........think I have bought myself problems but they look so beautiful......if yours have campy freehubs I suggest you throw them away (in my dustbin)

[silversonic]

I have just bought a set of the vector comps on here for reasonable money - how to make them work with campy groupset is going to be interesting.........think I have bought myself problems but they look so beautiful......if yours have campy freehubs I suggest you throw them away (in my dustbin)

I've used my Vigor's successfully on both a full Centaur and Record groupset, using a Shimano 9-speed chain. [emoji106]