Ceramic Rims

[WD Pro]

Ceramic rims - are they worth it ? :?

In terms of A) braking perforance (wet and dry) and B) cost v lifespan compared to a non coated rim.

Cheers for any input

WD

 

[LeeDevelopment]

I'd say 'yes'. I have a front Ceramic Mavic D521 mated to a Ringle hub that has lasted me since 1998, it's still going strong, never had the need to have been re- trued and has worked a dream in all weathers!!!

Edit: I would like to add that this wheel has been on a hardtail that has been bombed hard down most of the late NEMBA, NAMBS and NPS downhill courses in practise too, several dual and 4-cross events, harsh winters and the Fort Bill DH course as well. Have never had any problems with the rim at all.

 

[suburbanreuben]

I'll second that. I've had some 517ceramicsfor 10years+, never needed trueing, A few long touring holidays and race series behind them. Still good for a few years yet.

 

[WD Pro]

Thanks guys

So when the ceramic wears does it come off evenly and leave you with a 'normal' rim with one life left or is it completely screwed and comes off in patches / unevenly ?

Cheers,

WD

 

[LeeDevelopment]

It chips off in places over time. That said my front wheels is now being put onto my new bike project, there's a good few more years left in it yet!

 

[ededwards]

Could be the brake pads that I've got but the ceramic rims I have are next to useless in the wet (or to put another way, the riding experience is greatly enhanced by having to anticipate).

 

[LeeDevelopment]

That's a fair point, I've run Kool Stops with mine, mated to Brooklyn Machine Works 'Snot Rocket' canti's.

 

[dyna-ti]

I had ceramic and found them great dry[using standard shimano XTR ceramic pads in XTR holders]
And not too bad in the wet either ,better than non ceramic,lets put it that way :?

I think the real benefit lies when they're used in wet mud,helps protect against the rims being prematurely worn down by the grinding paste that mud is.

They eat pads,but the long extended rim life makes them worth it

 

[Scrat]

I still run my 117cd ceramics, and 217s, and Crossmaxs
I've found they wear evenly, but chip from rock damage or flat spotting
Also never noticed any change in performance
Never had any issues in the wet either - maguras w/regular and ceramic pads

I just need to find a way to get the ceramic coating onto my disc brake rotors and i'm sorted

 

[Augustus]

they last a lot longer than std alloy versions. easily outweighing the extra cost (IMO)