Rough rims

[j beede]

My Shimano wh-550 wheels have machined braking surfaces. I would have thought this would provide smooth and quiet braking. Nope. Lots of ticking and "rough surface" noise while braking. No obvious defects or bad spots, just the usual streaking and groove visible. I expected the brake pads would polish this surface over time. Nope. Is there a sensible and effective way for a shade tree mechanic to improve the quality of these braking surfaces? Is this a standard maintenance item on modern bikes? Something beyond 0000 steel wool or 400 grit maybe? I want to keep the surface flat.
...j

[Bill]

I have in the past always found that sometimes the surface gets old rubber on it, as well as other things that cause the streaking sound. Try an alcohol wipe or alcohol to rub the surface on the rim and on the pads. If the pads are cheaper sometimes they harden faster then others. Also check inside the pad to make sure there are no metal shavings, tiny pebbles, or other objects stuck in it. As far as the 0000 steel wool or 400 grit sandpaper idea i'm not sure of.

[Joe_W]

Yeah, in all tests, the Shimano wh-550 wheels are described to have rough hubs and uneven braking surface. The ticking most probably comes from the point where the rim is joint. Some sandpaper (200 grit) will smooth down that spot. Concerning the "rough surface noise", do as Bill suggested.

[Bill]

(01-14-2010, 04:38 AM)Joe_W Wrote:  Yeah, in all tests, the Shimano wh-550 wheels are described to have rough hubs and uneven braking surface. The ticking most probably comes from the point where the rim is joint. Some sandpaper (200 grit) will smooth down that spot. Concerning the "rough surface noise", do as Bill suggested.

Thank you Joe, I really did not know about the uneven spots. Great info.