Second hand cheap carbon wheels - Inspection Warning!

[BeirutTaxi]

Hi guys,

Bit of a warning for anyone buying second hand carbon wheels (particularly if cheap in the first place).

Finally managed to get round round to fitting the tyres to these for the first time , but have found severe delamination and fracturing around one of the spoke holes. Photo doesn't show it well but I can move the CF around with my thumb nail.



Gut instinct thinks that's where the main amount of reaction force will be generated whilst riding, and ergo the best thing for these is a trip to the bandsaw.

Kind regards

M

[gazza285]

All my Cyclocross wheels have holes like that, and I’ve had the odd chunk remain on the tyre when I’ve ripped them off, it hasn’t put me off using them.

Any cracks around the nipple bed might put me off though.

[gazza285]

BeirutTaxi said:

...the best thing for these is a trip to the bandsaw.

Send them to me instead...

[BeirutTaxi]

gazza285 said:

All my Cyclocross wheels have holes like that, and I’ve had the odd chunk remain on the tyre when I’ve ripped them off, it hasn’t put me off using them.

Any cracks around the nipple bed might put me off though.

That's intresting.. Has anyone else had the same experience?

[Matt_N]

It’s not great but not too bad either, looks like a badly finished spoke hole that has got a bit worse. Doesn’t look like there is a crack propagating just a bit of delamintion.

Get a CF repair kit off eBay and tidy it up a bit then tape or glue your new tyres on and off you go.

[GB4 JEV FFS]

That spoke hole is properly mashed.

What's even more worrying is the fact that everyone and their mother seems to be a carbon expert these days. I'd say learn from people who know, like this fella
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY9JUMYI54lLOHpb_...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET1jRVynOBA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFdG2NgIc7s

[Scabutz]

I had the same as the OP. Bought 2nd hand wheels ( they were old, but Enve so not cheap cheap). Similar problem on the spoke hole that was mashed. I didn't notice it but the LBS did when I took it to have the tub glued. They refused to glue the tub and said the wheel was shot.