why are there small holes in the XTR rims?

[UR2KLOS]

This is a completely unimportant question but I have been amazed by how much stuff STR people know about bikes.

I just noticed that my XTR rims have a small (.5mm?) hole machined into each side of the side wall. Does anyone know what these are for? They haven't caused any problems but if mud got in there it would be difficult to get it out.

Thanks.

[bjammin]

They are break wear indicators.

[UR2KLOS]

A little more info. The holes are 180 degrees away from the valve stem and are probably closer to 1mm in diameter. (Shimano's website doesn't accept customer questions or I would have asked them first.)

If brake wear indicator was a serious answer could you please explain?

[thebush]

Originally Posted by UR2KLOS

(Shimano's website doesn't accept customer questions or I would have asked them first.)

No joke. Straight from the Shimano website.


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[Rob]

Originally Posted by UR2KLOS

If brake wear indicator was a serious answer could you please explain?

Do you have the rim brake type wheels?

As the sidewall of the rim wears out, from rim brake pads, the holes will become flush with the rim. When they are flush, that means it's time to replace the rim because the sidewalls are getting too thin.

If you use disc brakes, you don't need to worry about it.

[J_Sims]

Originally Posted by thebush

No joke. Straight from the Shimano website.


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Due to current volume we are unable to take e-mail requests at this time.
Please use theE-mail
Due to current volume we are unable to take e-mail requests at this time.
Please use the above contact methods at this time or contact your local shop.
Need to find a Shimano authorized retailer? Use our Dealer Locator.
We apologize for any inconvenience.

Team Shimanoe above contact methods at this time or contact your local shop.
Need to find a Shimano authorized retailer? Use our Dealer Locator.
We apologize for any inconvenience.

Team Shimano

And they can not even spell their own name... I love my SRAM

[UR2KLOS]

I have disk brakes but maybe the same rims are also used for rim brakes. I assumed the holes went all the way through but I'll check tonight.

[2wheel_lee]

I had a set of Mavic road wheels that had holes in the rims. After doing rain rides, I noticed water draining from these holes. The water entered the rims through holes where the spokes went through the rim (no nipples). The rain would hit the spokes, then flow out to the rim. I assumed those hole were water drains. Perhaps this is true for the XTR wheels.

[Danimal]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

I had a set of Mavic road wheels that had holes in the rims. After doing rain rides, I noticed water draining from these holes. The water entered the rims through holes where the spokes went through the rim (no nipples). The rain would hit the spokes, then flow out to the rim. I assumed those hole were water drains. Perhaps this is true for the XTR wheels.

This would be my reasoning too.