After 18,000 miles, I needed a new rear tire on my 2003 RKC (spoked wheels). Bought a tire from my dealer and did the change tonight. When I took the old tire off, I saw A LOT of rust on the inside of the rim.

I took a wire brush and a grinder to the rim and cleaned it up pretty good. There is a lot of pitting and some rust I couldn't remove in the rim. I put a new rim band, tube and tire on.

My question is; will I have to replace my wheel? Where is the water coming from to make the rust?

Thanks,
Steve

 

wheels always rust there, that's why the band is there, to protect the tube from the rusty projections.

moisture can get it past the spokes, moisture is in the air pumped into your tire from a compressor- it's just there-

next time, try treating it with a rustoleum type paint.

it's one of the reasons why wire wheels have been left behind by "mag' wheels and tubeless tires, and more weight, possibility of needing adjustment etc.



mike

 

I'm at work right now but when I get home I'll post some pics of my old wheel that split on me...thankfully I was parked at the time...

 

I ride mine for for a bit after washing it. May not help, but i think (in my own mind) that it helps dry the water up that seeps down the spokes.

 

Would inflating tires with nitrogen help with the moisture issue? I see it advertised at tire shops (for cars) all the time, just not sure if it has less/no moisture.

 

With 18000 miles on the back tire? Wow, what brand are you running?

 

Nitrogen should be theoretically moisture-free, and is also resistant to expansion as the tyre heats up, thus improving grip (or some such). It seems a bit like a great solution to a problem that no one really has.

I think you've had the best advice you're going to get - treat the inside of the wheel to some Rustoleum or Hammerite or something like that.

 

No nitrogen will not help with the water intrusion, but it will help keep a more constant pressure in the tire. Helps if you ride in high heat areas, it tends to stay more constant under temperature swings.
It is a inert gas, and would help better in a tubless wheel.

 

putting nitrogen in a tube has nothing to do with stopping moisture inside a wheel..(tubeless tire, maybe)....water comes in around the spokes

 

maybe it's just too early for me to comprehend all of this....

how would water seep in and the air not escape? besides, inside the wheel should have positive pressure over the outside, wouldn't you think?

steel automotive wheels rust. there are no spokes to allow water to seep in. it's gotta have something to do with the air and the compressor.... why does my air compressor have a water drain in the bottom of the tank? and one runs a inline dryer on a paint gun?

ok, this is a question for all of you engineer types.