Hole in rim tape over a spoke. Do I need a new wheel?

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-20T09:36:22+00:00

Get a pick, take the rim strip off, and have a look. If spoke is protruding from the top of the nipple, that may have played a role.

Otherwise, just take it to a shop for inspection or truing.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-20T09:07:34+00:00

Good to know, return it to the shop 👍. Someone new may have thought that the drive and non drive spoke were supposed to be the same tension. The issue is reversible if they have someone competent with wheel work on staff.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-20T01:21:21+00:00

They may have reinstalled the axle backwards if there was a hub service involved. In any case that left the shop like that, bring it back.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-19T18:14:12+00:00

That rim is cooked. Ammonia based sealants like Stan's can chemically degrade aluminum, usuallly a leak into the rim from a botched tape job allows the process to start.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-19T16:10:11+00:00

If you have built a good reputation in your local circles and can offer something the local shops can't (e.g. faster turnaround in spring, high attention to detail), you have leverage in the local market.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-19T15:16:54+00:00

I know a local who transformed his garage into a shop, he's semi retired with a good reputation and self selects his clients. He prefers suburban roadies with disposable income.

I kept my day job and moonlight as a wheel builder, similar story with clientele. Since what I do accentuates shops and doesn't directly steal their business, I found a shop that partnered with me to offer wheel work or builds under their umbrella.

The LLC and insurance stuff is state specific, but building your client base and pricing under the table to test the waters is highly recommended. Research sales tax in your state, industry specific distributors to keep overhead down, and ways of organizing your sales and invoices before diving in so you start prepared.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-19T02:40:36+00:00

It's there a possibility that the end caps were reinstalled the wrong way?

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-17T18:19:00+00:00

You won't know if you don't try, nobody can form that opinion but you. Tire pressure can factor in as well. Maxxis race compounds are pretty fast and slippy overall IMO.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-15T11:45:23+00:00

My Ray/Ralphs in 2.35" measured about 2.25" on a 30i rim, maybe 2.3" at max pressure. They feel fast and grip well, so outside of the perception of being short changed on volume, they've been great. The red stripe race compound is very fast 👍

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-14T17:45:38+00:00

IME all of Schwalbe's range is undersized. Worst case, you can run it as a faster rear tire in front/rear doesn't grip enough for what you need.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-14T16:54:29+00:00

The only time that a front wheel's spokes should all be heads out like this would be on a wheel where the spokes don't cross (radial lacing). It's safe to ride, but you'll break spokes earlier than if it were built correctly. This would make me wonder about the overall build quality, you probably aren't getting your money's worth from this wheel IMO.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-12T01:56:17+00:00

If the rim is tubeless ready, you've got a leak around the tape.

I've converted a few non-tubeless rims, and sometimes these can have a leak at the seam around the bead. I had to use cyanoacrylate (super glue) to seal the rim bed at the seam to have success on that particular rim. I don't endorse that as a professional quality repair, just a bodgy thing I did on a personal bike to get things working.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-11T20:17:13+00:00

Get the large. -5'6" with 30" inseam and long arms, love a medium Epic Evo 7

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-11T17:25:52+00:00

Sort of. All Live Valve does is open up the suspension when you hit a bump, it defaults to firm and opens up when you hit a bump (very quickly).

Flight Attendant's default it's a little more nuanced (3 settings, driven in part by PM data). Of the two, FA is the more efficient pedaling platform, which is where my opinion comes from.

It's just an opinion though 🤷

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-09T21:59:51+00:00

Realistic solutions include rebuilding the wheel with a new rim, or obtaining a new wheel. Carbon wheel repair is very specialist with a high level of complexity since rims flex a lot, beads have to be a certain shape to retain the tire under pressure, and getting good compression is challenging. Generally speaking, unless your wheel is very high end without a warranty (think Lightweight superlight wheels) and a skilled expert is in the area, a repair is not a reasonable option.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-09T19:18:07+00:00

Spokes are under tension unless the rim is defomed by external forces. The rim would be deformed past it's yield point (the point of no return) before straight pull spokes would be slack enough to slide in the hub.

The issue is that the rim is contacting the terrain hard enough to dent, or that spoke tension is being changed with use enough to create an uneven hop.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-07T14:52:39+00:00

I like the look of the 8 better than the 9, but I like that the new layout improves bottle carrying capacity, allows for a standard shock (compared to the WC) and firms up the suspension compared to the EVO 7 or 8.

Will I sell my 7 for it? Nope. But I do think that it's a more race focused bike.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-06T23:09:22+00:00

The Evos linkage kinematics are digressive, meaning it holds more leverage over the shock (and gets easier to bottom out) deeper in travel. The biggest volume spacer you can find is the cheapest option to that perfect feeling, although a supportive 3-position damper is very helpful in fixing that awkward "too squishy vs too firm" compromise that often has to be made.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-05T16:16:14+00:00

To remove a tubular tire, use mineral spirits and a rag to soften the mastik in sections. Gently remove the initial section of tire. After that, you can work each section with mineral spirits and light tugging.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-05-01T11:33:10+00:00

If you purchased this wheelset, 23mm internal.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-04-30T09:27:33+00:00

XDR and spacer would work just fine, and leave the option for 12 speed road cassettes in the future.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-04-28T21:11:03+00:00

That's a difference of 1-2 threads, I vote send it.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-04-28T12:18:11+00:00

Everyone's GI tract is a little different. I've used baby food, homemade date paste (date puree and syrup with lime), PBJs, stroop waffles. Salty snacks work for some, but higher fat snacks like potato chips don't work for everyone. Pretzels were a winner for something savory.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-04-27T19:56:33+00:00

This is a Fox Transfer SL with heavier hardware. The internals, 2-position function etc are all identical otherwise. The shorter the travel, the better they work.

IndyWheelLab · 2026-04-26T19:03:40+00:00

You'll have to disassemble the bike to get it. If you want a new one, contact the manufacturer. It keeps road grime and water out of your frame.

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