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When hitting bumps, wheels sometimes develop flat spots. Can this be reduced by building wheels with higher spoke tension, or is this mainly result of strength of a rim?

When I say flat spot, I mean wheel radially going out of true, not small nicks on the edge of the rim.

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    Do you mean small, localized flat spots on the edge of the rim (where you hit the bump) or larger areas where the rim is no longer round (radial offset)?
    – StefanS
    Commented Jul 4, 2018 at 11:00
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    If the the tire is briefly going flat so that the bump force is applied directly to the rim then you need to increase your tire pressure.
    – Daniel R Hicks
    Commented Jul 4, 2018 at 12:04
  • I am basically concerned with larger areas where rim is no longer round
    – Davorin Ruševljan
    Commented Jul 4, 2018 at 15:24
  • Tires are at their maximum pressure
    – Davorin Ruševljan
    Commented Jul 4, 2018 at 15:24
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    What kind of bike is this and what kind of terrain? I don't know any mountain bikers but I've never heard of wheels being knocked out of round on the road. If this is happening to you with any regularity at all (as in, more than once in your life), there's a good chance that you're riding too roughly.
    – David Richerby
    Commented Jul 4, 2018 at 17:45

1 Answer 1

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Yes, stronger wheels will be more resistant to damage and going out of true.

Wheel strength is a combination and balance of of rim strength, number and gauge of spokes, spoke tension and the quality of the build (spoke tension evenness etc.)

If you are denting your rims on bumps, or they are going out of true there are some things you should do before considering new wheels:

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  • Thanks. Tires are as large as they can be and at their maximum pressure, roads that I travel and their quality are given. But if I understand your answer correctly going for higher tension on the spokes could improve situation.
    – Davorin Ruševljan
    Commented Jul 4, 2018 at 15:33
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    @DavorinRuševljan Maybe. If your wheels are out of true or are not of great quality, trying to tighten them up if you don not have experience with wheel building can be tricky.
    – Argenti Apparatus
    Commented Jul 4, 2018 at 18:52

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