Four Tips for Buying Bicycle Rims

Bicycle rims are designed to support the inner tube and tire. If you need to buy replacement rims, you will need to consider a few things beforehand. Some of these things include material, type, and spokes. This article will give you a few tips for buying bicycle rims.

Material

One of the first things you need to consider when buying bicycle rims is the type of material that they're made of. Some of the most common materials include steel, carbon fiber, and aluminum. Aluminum bicycle rims are lightweight. They are also inexpensive as aluminum is easy to mold in any shape.

Steel bicycle rims are durable, but are also very heavy. Steel rims are also difficult to repair if they happen to get bent out of shape. Carbon fiber bicycle rims are strong and even lighter than aluminum designs. However, carbon fiber rims are considerably more expensive. These rims also won't brake well in damp conditions.

Type

One of the next things to consider when buying bicycle rims is their type. There are tubular and clincher designs. Tubular bicycle rims are attached to the tire with glue. They provide a lot of speed, so they are ideal for racing. However, tubular rims are difficult to maintain and are more expensive. Clincher bicycle rims are the most common type used today. Instead of using glue, these rims hold the tire securely using air pressure.

Spokes

You will also need to think about whether or not you want to have spokes on your bicycle rims. Some designs don't have slots to hold spokes. If you are into competitions, then you should look for bicycle rims that have spoke slots.

Size

One of the final things you need to consider when buying bicycle rims is their size. They can measure anywhere from 12 to 26 inches in diameter. The proper size to buy will be determined by the height of the rider. Bicycle rims that measure between 12 and 20 inches are designed for children. Designs between 24 and 26 inches are for adults.