Hi,

My 12 year old XC717 (rear) lost an argument with a fast rocky descent last night. Took a nice clout from a loose rock – cue pinch flat and instant total deflation! Anyway the rim’s quite beaten up; one big dent and three more minor.

I was able to stick a new tube in and re-seat the tyre well enough to get home. However, I think the bigger dent is deep enough to let water and dirt in (and probably be more prone to pinch flat). The wheel is not buckled, spoke tension’s still good.

What’s the best way to try and straighten it out without causing more damage? Pliers, vice jaws, hammer it out with a wooden former? Or do I just need to accept it’s dead?

Any repair tips gratefully received!

I use adjustable pliers to bend rims back. It depends how bad it is 🙁
You can still find new xc717 rims, not cheap but they have xm119 rims aswell.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F323349391890

Not pliers spanner.

Not pliers spanner.

Bit harsh calling him a spanner 😉

I always find an adjustable spanner ore molegrips better

Thanks both – good idea on the adjustable spanner, hadn’t thought of that (and yes, you can call me a spanner too – I should have chosen a better line through those rocks)! I’ll give it a go – not a lot to lose!
Thanks again.

Just to close this off – using the adjustable spanner worked a treat. Just went round the rim methodically and then took any hint of burrs or roughness off with very fine wet and dry. Its weather proof and straight, so good to go!

Thanks again.