Rim defect?

[Mightie-Mike]

I bought myself a new road bike recently and I've noticed an issue with the brake pads and rims recently.

First I noticed a grinding noise when the breaks were applied. Upon closer inspection I found that my rim wall on both wheels were "Blistered" (see below picture) and that some of the aluminum was chipping off and digging into my break pads (possibly these blisters chipping off?).

Is this a defect, Or am I reading too much into it? What should I do to fix the issue and get my bike back into riding condition without filling my brake pads up with shards of aluminum?

[attachment=906]

[cyclerUK]

Take the bike back to the shop. It is possible that something in the brake blocks has "picked" up the aluminium which in turn will will score the blocks and so on.

If you want, you could smooth down the rims with some fine sand paper,(or smooth file or sharp knife/chisel) and inspect the brake blocks for bits of metal, glass or stone etc. If indeed these are "blisters" then they will be hollow underneath.

[Bill]

Definitely take cycler's advice to take the bike back. Before you take it back, look over the bike for any other defects to point out .