I have a set of the following no-name chinese rims:

http://xbike.en.alibaba.com/product/446871585-210660877/Bicycle_carbon_rim_50mm_super_light.html

They have a foam core. Is it structural or manufacturing? If it is merely there from manufacturing, is it possible and safe to remove that foam with a solvent? Any idea what solvent would work?

Thanks!

Its part of the manufacturing process but is also structural. I'd leave it in.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandwich_ ... _composite

A few people have not had good experiences with XBike rims, FYI.

FarSports rims seems to have had better rep/results.

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Exp001

In what way?

Do you know off hand it people had issues with the tubular rims, clincher rims, or both?

I can't speak for the current X-bike rims.
But I bought 2 of them last year. I put very little mileage on them. IMO they shouldn't have been allowed to leave the place where they had been made.
Funny things are happening on the side walls, kind of wavy patterns changing into tiny wrinkles over the time .
Dents in the surface next to the nipples. Have I mentioned that it is nod advisable to remove old glue? High risk of pealing the fibers off!

I'm sure there are more robust, better quality Chinese tubulars out there.
If you decide to got that way, pick something different than X-bikes rims.

Remember "strong, light, cheap" game...?

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Cervelo R5 VWD 5637g/12.43lb
Cannyon Ultimate slx 5592g/12.33lb
Pronghorn XC SW Race 8284g/18.26lb

Yeah would be good to know. They have a 32mm tubular rim spec'd at 260g now, would be an interesting option for a lightweight set.

http://xbike.en.alibaba.com/product/674 ... _32mm.html

Wondering if it's the rim used here, rim specs are 32mm/260g just the same:
http://www.arccarbonwheels.com/arc-shop ... elset.html

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Bikes: Raceur, Beateur