Posted by Matt Wilson on Monday, July 08, 2002 at 6:49PM :
In Reply to: I thought combat wheels were split rings... posted by chewie on Saturday, July 06, 2002 at 6:18PM :
The two types are the combat (i.e. split) rims and the split ring rims.
The combat ("split") rims are the kind that have the bolts all the way around the perimeter of the rim. These are made so that the two halves of the rim bolt together around the tire. They can be disassembled and re-assembled just using simple hand tools. To my knowledge, there is no danger of any parts flying off when being aired up, or during any other activity.
The split ring rims are the ones that have what appears to be a giant snap ring around the perimeter of the rim. These rings have no bolts to hold the rim assembly together. These are the ones that everyone is concerned about flying apart. The "snap ring" can fly off with a very great amount of speed when being aired up, causing great damage/injury/death to anyone or anything that happens to be in the way (like the guy who is airing up the tire).
Matt