Rims - Alloy vs Stainless?

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poindexter888

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Just wanted a little advice. I am sick of de-lacing my rims, then getting them rechromed and re-laced - it's time consuming, involves a lot of running around and expense, and needs doing every 4 years or so. The chromer I have used is supposed to be the best in town, but I think the bar might be set pretty low. So I have stainless spokes, and would prefer stainless rims, but wanted to know if anyone had any reason why the alloys are better, or stainless is to be avoided. Cheers
 
How come you need to rechrome every 4 years? Do you ride all year 'round in salt etc? I am still on the original chrome on my Cdo wheels and only minor corrosion. I only ride in fair weather though!! Personally, I like the look of valenced alloy rims on a Cdo but haven't been able to justify the expense for my bike as my chrome rims are in good shape. Also, I always prefer the look of polished alloy over chrome
 
Only reason to put on Al rim is for bragging rights or to ride softer and
handle-brake-take off a bit faster d/t less spin and unsprung mass.
Otherwise for sane to rather thrilling riding and nice shine SS will out last
you and the Commando and much harder to mar but also to polish out
small blemishes.
Main hassle is finding a front disc rim drill angled enough, plus spoke
set bent enough, to assemble w/o spokes in a bit of a bow.

Might consider one more time with plain steel but nickle plated.
A perfect Commando to view is a lasting image to all of us.

hobot
 
I have valenced Akront alloy with s/s spokes on my 850 (19" front - 18" rear). They are light and beautifull. Less shine than chrome for a nice quality look. (Just my opinion!)
 
Where does one purchase stainless steel rims? Didn't knoe they were available.
 
I chose long time ago the "bragging rights" (???) over having the Dunlop rims re-chromed. Heard only bad things about SS rims. Only prob with AL rims is the stainless nipples: my wheel guy put a secret goo that he makes himself to stop the SS/alloy sizing. Of course if I had access to brand new Dunlop rims at a good price my choice could have been different!
Philippe
 
Danno said:
Where does one purchase stainless steel rims? Didn't knoe they were available.
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British "Devon" stainless rims are available from Buchanan's in the US: http://www.buchananspokes.net/categorie ... l_rims.asp


prmurat said:
Heard only bad things about SS rims.
Click to expand...

Beware of "Made in India" stainless rims, although I've never heard of any problems with the British-made (CMF Devon or CWC) rims.

http://www.devonrimcompany.com/classicrims.htm#
http://www.central-wheel.co.uk/rims/sta ... l_rim.html
 
buchanan's SS rim are sweet - Angel (the wheel guy) at Buch's can set you up straight - problem is the rims are $ 335+ last time i checked and have been out of stock for quite some time - still its my next purchase when they come in
 
tpeever said:
How come you need to rechrome every 4 years? Do you ride all year 'round in salt etc? I am still on the original chrome on my Cdo wheels and only minor corrosion. I only ride in fair weather though!! Personally, I like the look of valenced alloy rims on a Cdo but haven't been able to justify the expense for my bike as my chrome rims are in good shape. Also, I always prefer the look of polished alloy over chrome
Click to expand...


I too am a fair weather rider, and only on sealed roads. The chrome lasted 6 years from when I first got the bike, then less than 18 months to start to show pitting after each re-chrome, and I then get fed up and re-do the lot about 18 months after that. So it averages out at 4 years. I'm not confident enough to relace my own rims; I didn't realise the drill angles on the rim mattered for fitting the disc until hobot mentioned it just now, just assumed that WM2 rims would fit! I have a quote from a local wheel spoke shop to supply alloy rims and relace with my hubs and spokes of around $900, but would prefer the stainless for low maintenance shine.

Any reason to avoid the Indian stainless rims? Out of round, material quality, build quality?

Thanks for the input
 
poindexter888 said:
tpeever said:
How come you need to rechrome every 4 years? Do you ride all year 'round in salt etc? I am still on the original chrome on my Cdo wheels and only minor corrosion. I only ride in fair weather though!! Personally, I like the look of valenced alloy rims on a Cdo but haven't been able to justify the expense for my bike as my chrome rims are in good shape. Also, I always prefer the look of polished alloy over chrome
Click to expand...


I too am a fair weather rider, and only on sealed roads. The chrome lasted 6 years from when I first got the bike, then less than 18 months to start to show pitting after each re-chrome, and I then get fed up and re-do the lot about 18 months after that. So it averages out at 4 years. I'm not confident enough to relace my own rims; I didn't realise the drill angles on the rim mattered for fitting the disc until hobot mentioned it just now, just assumed that WM2 rims would fit! I have a quote from a local wheel spoke shop to supply alloy rims and relace with my hubs and spokes of around $900, but would prefer the stainless for low maintenance shine.

Any reason to avoid the Indian stainless rims? Out of round, material quality, build quality?

Thanks for the input
Click to expand...

I would not trust just any wheel builder to the Norton wheels. For alloy rims with your spokes I'm guessing that Buchanans would be something like $600 ($200 per rims and $100 for lacing). Then add for mounting and balancing. And you know it will be drilled correctly.
 
Where are you located? I agree with swooshdave that Buchanans is the place to deal with for spoked wheels in the US. Not too many people know how to build spoked wheels any more and I have only heard positive feedback about Buchanans. I have used CWC rims for several rebuild projects (from Mike Partridge at Walridge Motors) and the quality is fine. However, Devon rims appear to be a substantial step up in quality from CWC. So if price is no object, I think Devon would be the way to go.
 
i remind thee that Buchanan's is where Ms Peel's rims and spokes came form.
Their rim and spokes for Norton front disc laced up perfect only when spokes
bowed d/t not enough angle provided in dimples to aim spokes directly at the hub holes. I'd check with CNW for low down on their wheels and experience
with Buchannan or other suppliers.
I spent a few months last year seeking feedback form various vendors and
decades long Norton front wheel builders who have run into bowed
spokes in new parts themselves. Hope others results are better.

hobot
 
Just updated my details a bit, located a loooooong way from Buchanans, or CNW. The local guys here in Perth W.A. are called Spoke Wheel Services, and all they do is spoke wheels. They're very good, and quite reasonably priced.
 
I suppose the stainless would have a corrosion-resistance advantage over chromed, but alloy rims make a huge difference in handling ease and steering response. They also reduce unsprung weight which makes it easier for the suspension and tires to do their jobs. I have a Borrani 19" front and an Akront 18" rear shouldered alloy rims and have never had an issue other than the occasional polish. Carl Donelson, at my request, cut the stock rear spokes down by 1/2" each and rethreaded to suit the 18" rim. He warned me at the time (22years ago) that spokes had cold-rolled threads and the die-cut type might not hold up, but no probs so far. He laced the rear, but I had previously done the front myself, along with a 19" Borrani rear.
 
Had a set of alloy Akron's built with SS spokes and new Avons by Rick at Highway Cycle, they look great and have required only minor polishing to date. The cost was reasonable ($1200 cdn), and I'm very happy with them:

Rims - Alloy vs Stainless?
 
I keep the chrome in orginal condition by first cleaning and then oiling, they look rubbish within a short time as dirt sticks to the oil but a quick clean with Diesel and a polish puts them back to original. As the west coast of Sctotland is one of the wettest parts of the Globe its the only reliable way I have found to allow the use of chrome rims. The combat I have in parts came without a front rim, so I bought one from California off ebay and that is virtually factory fresh. Currently its in a box soaked in oil in the garage.
 
hi just got some stanless in from moto parts inc in canada and at a good price and thay wear real nice ironjohn
 
Go and see Ben at British Imports in Morley ( 5 Boag Rd). He knows what he is doing. Morad alloys look good and are somewhat lighter. Get valanced rims only if you like crap collecting in them. Go the 2.5 inch 19s at both ends with Avon Roadriders. Don't let anybody talk you into 18s or wide tyres on rims they are not made for.

Is this the right room for an argument?
 
I sent my front hub to moose racing products in victoria Australia, he built me a stainless wheel with ss spokes for $500. brand of rim is radaeli ,made in italy.
 
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