OK so most are afraid of wood rims, it is human nature to be afraid of
things that are different.
There were many years here in the US when almost all bicycles
came with wood rims, at this time before the 30s, smooth roads were
rare. Wood does have a tendency to crack upon impact instead of bend.
One of our list members suggested building wood rims with "not too much
tension", what is too much? I don't think that building them loose is
sound advice. My 1925 Mead catalog says "Properly made bicycle wheels
will withstand an enormous amount of strain and shock. This is made
possible, however, only by using the finest seasoned hard maple rims and
high tension tested steel spokes with brass nipples...It is our rule
never to send out a wheel unless it has been built up and aged fully two
months. It is then retrued, each spoke being tightened again, just a
trifle, and thereafter will run "true" and even and hold its shape."
At some point, after 1925, most wood rims that were not for
racing came with a thin steel shell, these rims are called metal clad. I
would be interested if any of our list has any literature comparing wood
to metal clad rims, or anything else on the building, use, and care of
wood rims.
chris ioakimedes
Fairfax California