I have a set of Hed CX tubulars that I got off ebay a while ago that have been great but with one question. After braking with my rear tire, I noticed a slight uneven brake engagement as if the aluminum surface where slightly not even. The wheel seems to be spot on true, so it doesn’t seem to be that. But if I feel my way around the aluminum rim it is almost as if some parts are very very slightly not even. Is this even possible with an aluminum rim. And if it is, am I out of luck, or can it be remachined to be straight again, or should I even care at all, since the wheel works great, and my breaking is fine, just a slight feeling of occasional shudder.
berndog,
I have noticed this issue occasionally with various rims. It is usually an issue with some residue (gum/varnish type substance, often invisible).
Have you tried cleaning your braking surface and re-scuffing your brake pads with sand paper? You have to address the pads as well as the braking surface on the rim. The pads could be transferring this substance to the rim.
For me, at least, this has never failed to correct the problem.
Good luck.
I’ll try that, I bet that might be it. But I do have a question. What is the best way to try to clean the rim, trying to be careful of the carbon structure that is next to it?
berndog,
Take a paper towel and fold it twice. Put your finger under a corner and then spray a little Clean Streak or preferred degreaser on the paper towel on your finger. Then rub this portion of the paper towel along the braking surface. As the paper towel gets “dirty” shift to a clean area of the paper towel and repeat.
It will be easy to control where you wipe and what gets “cleaned” and what doesn’t.
Good luck.