Single wall rim question

[Fjp]

Hi, I’m doing a BikeE recumbent conversation. I have a 20” single wall rim that I would like to use with my 2000 watt rear DD motor. I’m apprehensive about the single wall rim strength! Given the small diameter, and I’m don’t a hot rodder, is the single wall adequate?
Thanks much,
Frank

 

[amberwolf]

If you use spokes appropriate for that rim, and you're not loading that rim beyond it's design limits, you can use it just as well as any other rim. If you can find the specs for that rim from the manufacturer, you can verify if it will do what you want.

Otherwise, most likely 15g is the best spoke size for that rim, to ensure you don't have to have such high spoke tension that it deforms or damages the rim.


If it turns out to not work out, you can always replace it with a different rim (but you'll probably need shorter spokes for a doublewall rim so would need new spokes, too).

 

[docw009]

While you can make it work, it's a small expense for peace of mind.

I pay about 30 dollars for a Sun RIngle double wall 20" rim. A double wall is much more forgiving if you ordered spokes a few mm too long and need washers. After getting used to double walls, putting rim tape over an exposed nipple seemed odd to me when I had to use a single wall rim. too. Double butted spokes cost me more than the rim too, and you probably need them. A 2000 watt DD motor is going to be drilled for 13MM elbows.

 

[markz]

For a new build, I wouldnt use the single wall if I had it around, I'd use double wall, Sun Ringle Lite or Alex DM24.

 

[Balmorhea]

Hi, I’m doing a BikeE recumbent conversation. I have a 20” single wall rim that I would like to use with my 2000 watt rear DD motor. I’m apprehensive about the single wall rim strength!

There are some pretty rugged single walled rims out there, but you don't specify which one you have. The rear wheel of a recumbent is a hard job for a rim, though. The weight is concentrated in the back, and there's no way to stand up on the pedals to let the bike float over bumps, holes, or edges. Size for size and weight for weight, it will be easier to flat spot a single walled rim, or knock it out of true. If you're a lightweight rider, and if your BikeE has rear suspension, the single walled rim is probably fine.

One good sturdy and inexpensive double walled rim you can get these days is SE Bikes J24SG. Sun Rhyno Lite is another proven option. Luna Cycle has Alex DM22 for a low price.

 

[MadRhino]

How much does it weight?
Double wall rims are meant to be light weight yet stiff, many single wall alloy rims are much stronger than double wall rims. Trial rims are typically twice the weight of a double wall of the same size.

 

[Fjp]

Wow, there are a lot of variables that I didn’t realize. I need to get more information about my rim before I make a decision or even ask for more advice. Additionally, the local bike shops are not very interested in doing the job.... most just refuse and others don’t call back or are quoting September dates for service. Thanks to everyone for your time the great insight.
Frank

 

[Balmorhea]

Additionally, the local bike shops are not very interested in doing the job.... most just refuse and others don’t call back or are quoting September dates for service.

For what it's worth, bike shop business right now is at unprecedented levels. I have never seen a season as busy as this one. It's not a good time to be asking for something outside their specialty.

I would take in a hub motor wheel build, but that's a normal job for me.

 

[Fjp]

Crazy time for bike shops! I live near Ann Arbor, MI and one shop said they now only servicing bikes they sold and are quoting customers September completion dates. See the photo below of the bike racks at Walmart in Howell, MI. Shipping delays are.......

For the sake of expedience, I have decided to change course. I’m going to move my big motor conversion equipment over to a Schwinn tandem relic I’ve had laying around for years. That will get me riding again soon and allow me time to finish the BikeE. I am thinking that if I go with a front wheel hub motor that the extra weight will help with the inherent instability. Seems like gyroscope effect should also help? I’m no engineer, so I’d appreciate some feedback on the stability question?
Thanks to all,
Frank

 

[markz]

Hopefully the delay in repairs will get people to actually figure out how to repair their own bicycles, go on youtube and figure it out, its not that hard.

 

[MadRhino]

I believe the confinement period had made many cagers realize how much troubles and money they can save when leaving their cars in the garage. Now we have a lot of newbies bike riders on the streets. They survive only because there are fewer cars to hit them.

 

[markz]

Stand near the bicycle mechanics desk and eavesdrop while looking at the same v-brake pads for 30 minutes. Some interesting repairs people want done that are so simple to begin with. Society has become more pussified, a little bit of grease and their paper cuts might get infected.

 

[goatman]

I got my rim from grin, I think its the 20 inch dm24 and they gave me dual gauge custom bent spokes

I mounted a shinko sr714 2.25/16 on it and it fit but the tire was too big for my rear triangle. but shinkos fit that rim

 

[Balmorhea]

Hopefully the delay in repairs will get people to actually figure out how to repair their own bicycles, go on youtube and figure it out, its not that hard.

On the other hand, some of my shop’s most disastrous bottomless repair jobs are fixing bikes that the owner “fixed” first.

 

[Fjp]

A mans gotta know his limitations!

 

[markz]

Well, they failed in part by not having the proper tool.
Instead of having a crank removal tool, they start hammering at it.

 

[momus3]

What Balmorhea said. When I turned wrenches in auto dealerships, we had signs that gave our hourly rate for repairs, then the rate in case you had worked on it first (which was double), and lastly, the rate if you wanted to hover and watch us repair it (which was double the double rate).

Still, I think that people should get in there and try and figure it out (unless something is in warranty). A lot of what we learned was trial and error at first until we understood what the fix was. Of course, we had the luxury of doing that w/ someone else's vehicle