re: [CR]How strong are wooden rims?

(Example: History:Norris Lockley)

Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:30:22 -0500
From: "Harvey Sachs" <hmsachs@verizon.net>
Subject: re: [CR]How strong are wooden rims?
To: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, "hmsachs >> Harvey Sachs" <hmsachs@verizon.net>


I have wood rims of uncertain date but good condition on my '38 Schwinn Paramount, laced with 15/17 spokes (thanks, Ted!). I did a century on the bike a couple of years ago (100 miles) on pretty average roads. My weight is typically 180 - 190#, or 85 kg in real units. I try to be careful, but won't own what I can't safely ride.

harvey sachs mcLean va.

Art Link wrote:

The wheels are strong if in good repair and properly laced and tires well glued..Follow tire manufactures recommendation for inflation pressures. There are many of these rims in regular service in use by The Wheelmen members in the US as well as on older track bikes. Some even were used in the rugged conditions of L'Eroica on the Strada Bianca. The Wheelmen publish an inexpensive flyer on the repair and straitening of warped wooden rims. Art Link,San Antonio,TX,USA

Simon PJ <simonpj@mac.com> wrote: Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:58:24 +0000 From: Simon PJ <simonpj@mac.com> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Subject: [CR]How strong are wooden rims?

Are they only for lightweight riders?

Can they only take limited tyre pressures?

Mainly for track use?

Does the age of most surviving wooden rims now make them 'non-riders'?

Thanks,

Wyndham Pulman-Jones
Girton, Cambs., UK.