machined vs. non-machined wheels

[barifett]

whats the difference?

[corporate p]

breaking surface on the rims homie.

[benitosan]

like Pavel said, but with a little more information for you:

machined rims have been machined (duh) into the sidewall for a braking surface (for brake pads to get friction/contact)  rim will appear to be silver along the machined part.

non machined rims have not been touched on the sidewall and has no braking surface but if you are riding fixed gear and brakeless (or have a bike w/ disc brakes) you don't need a braking surface.  also looks cleaner and deeper and shows off the color (if you have colored rims).

[tinaballs]

like how i messed up my front deep v's non machined from the brakes hahaha stupid me

[benitosan]

sccccrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeccccchhhhh!  duh Tinaballs, that's the sound your bike makes when you brake
on a nonmachined rim.    scccccrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeecccccchhhhhh!  take off your damn brake already

[tinaballs]

shut up i neeeeeeeeed the brakes, trust me... so shut up or i'll brake on ur face

[benitosan]

Tinaballs, you can ride your Deep V across my face anytime!

[Jan I Am]

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!!!!!!!

So I see your power is back on...

[benitosan]

yup, went to the bar, got drunk rode to baymeadows rode to burlingame, came home and voila!  internets!

[reckon]

I have machined rims and good canti's on my MTB (crazy braking power), and I have non machined rims on my fixie: I found a set of grey centerpull brake pads and run those (grey pad, grey rim, no black marks) and yes they squeak a little bit when it's damp out, but again CRAZY STOPPING POWER, and besides, the squeaky brake makes a GREAT "bell", noise device to warn pedestrians that you are approaching.

I rode my fixie for three months with no brakes, and after 5 minutes with the centerpull front brake, I'll never ride brakeless again: I rode COMPLETELY DIFFERENTLY with the brake, had more fun, relaxed more, and stopped looking 400 yards ahead from paranoia. (my rear tire lasts 6 months longer now too!)

I personally like the shiny, rainbow effect of the machining, I think it looks pretty cool.

I believe you can get non machined rims, machined (I work at a machine shop, I KNOW it's possible) I just have to find out where, as I'd like to get just my front alex450 machined on my beloved motorbacon fixie.