Do you have to remove the gear cassette on a mountain bike to replace the rim?
Question by Justme: Do you have to remove the gear cassette on a mountain bike to replace the rim?
Hi i bought a 2nd hand mountain bike cheap as it has a 'bump' on the rear rim, still able to ride it but would like to replace the rear rim as it rubs on the brakes, can i replace just the rim or do i have to change all the gear cog's etc? Thank's in Advance
Best answer:
Answer by Bob A
Yes you want to remove the gears to make it easier to true the new rim.
http://bicycletutor.com/part/freewheel/
http://bicycletutor.com/part/wheel/
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
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January 17th, 2011 - 08:00
The Rim is just the very outside part of the wheel that the tire mounts on. The Wheel is the hub, spokes and rim. It sounds like you are talking about replacing the Wheel? not just the Rim? Replacing the Rim only means building a new wheel with the old hub and (maybe) the old spokes and a new rim – and lacing all the spokes and tensioning the wheel – NOT a job for a raw amateur and expensive to have done by a pro. Replacing the wheel would make more sense.
Either way yes, you will need to remove the gears – to lace the wheel or to put the gears on the new wheel – Unless you buy a new cassette with the new wheel and just toss the old one with the wheel.
Before you do that, take the wheel to a shop and see if they can true it for you. If it isn’t too bad they should be able to get it into usable shape for $10 or so.
You got the bike cheap, but is it a cheap department store bike? or a good bike? If it is a cheap department store bike don’t bother buying a new wheel – it isn’t worth it – unless you can find a cheap or free rear wheel.
January 17th, 2011 - 08:27
While Bob A gave you links, it is hardly the whole story and a bit premature. Before attempting to rebuild a wheel bring it to your local bike shop and see if and what it would cost to straighten or “true” the wheel. Many times this is all that’s needed to make wheels usable again.
Yes, if you plan on rebuilding the wheel, removing the cassette would be necessary in order to access the spokes. You should always check the hub flange for cracks or deformation when rebuilding the wheel. The need to replace the cassette would depend on the wear on it, which would be question for a bike shop. Sometimes you can keep it. If you plan on replacing the rim I highly recommend a hands on wheel building class at a local bike shop. It will save you a lot of grief.
New rims are very often different dimensions than your current rim. Because of that the spokes needed would very possibly be a different length. So figure new spokes and nipples into the cost of replacing a rim. Just a heads up.
I’m not discouraging you from attempting this, just highly suggesting visiting your local bike shop 1st to see what your options are.
January 17th, 2011 - 08:37
the other answers tell you about rebuilding the wheel which for you will be next to impossible to achieve,it’s very difficult to rebuild a wheel.just buy another wheel and remove your cassette,fit your cassette to the new wheel.to rebuild a wheel requires a wheel jig,a lot of patience and a lot of skill,you also need a cassette key and a chain whip to remove the cassette,best option is to take your wheel to a shop and have them do it for you