Ceramic Rims

[P20]

I've managed to wear out 1 set of rims on the P20, but thats in 12ish yrs. Much more consistant braking, especially in the wet. I've never had problems with apd wear either. Not great if you're heavy (prone to dinging rims) though. A mate used to wear normal rims out in 5-6 months, but would get 2yrs+ out of a ceramic.

 

[Augustus]

why don't they make road rims ceramic. Given the cost of replacing a set of high end road wheels. Or low end ones for that matter, surely it'd make sense?

 

[P20]

Theres nothing bling available, but open pros are ceramic option. Or there was a set called classic. Mavic hubs, straight spokes, ceramics rims. Not especially light or bling, just sensoble well made wheels.

 

[Waderider]

My Ceramics

I got a pair of Mavic 117 sup ceramics on STX RC hubs in about 1994, the front wheel has only just met its maker. The back lasted the lifespan of two 'ordinary' back wheels, the front probably six non-ceramics. In the end it wasn't braking smoothly as about a 1 inch long strip of ceramic had gone AWOL, plus the hub was goosed.

Still, got Open Pro ceramics on my road tourer last year, lets see if I can get either of them to last beyond 16 years!

 

[scant]

why don't they make road rims ceramic?

they do.

I used ceramic rims from 94 to around 2003. if you live or ride regularly on loose rocky trails then dont get ceramic rims. the ceramic comes off in massive chunks & wrecks the braking. aside from that they're an improvement on standard rims for increased sidewall wear & better braking with the correct pads.

 

[wooly pluto]

BTW - do you have any idea how to fix the broken ceramic on the Mavic 517 rim?

 

[Crum]

replace it......

 

[Benandemu]

I always use ceramic rims and find that they are better in the wet because the Aluminium surface on normal rims deteriorates much, much faster in the wet.

Not sure if they brake better in the wet, even with the expensive wet weather green frog pads for HS33's.

When my old 117's started to wear down the bike shop gave me some special rim cleaner to use. It was like a giant oxo cube which you could rub on the sidewall to enhance the original qualities of the rim...

...load of bollocks! Just made a mess.

I still use Ceramic on 117, 217, 517 and some 717's.
They keep their looks too.