Rolf Prima Astral Owner's Manual

A ST R A L C Y C L I N G O W N E R ’ S M A N UA L

www.astralcycling.com

888.308.7700

[e-mail]

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A ST R A L C YC L IN G O W N ER ’ S M AN U AL

A ST R A L C YC L IN G O W N ER ’ S M AN U AL

Thank you for buying our rims! We have been building wheels and making rims for over 15
years and we are glad to have made these for you.

Because there are a variety of Astral rims, this manual may contain information that does
not apply to your rims. If you have any questions after reading this manual, please contact
your Astral dealer or contact us at [e-mail].

Please inspect and save all packaging materials that came with your rims. If there is any
damage to the rims or the packaging, it is important to identify it immediately. The struc­tural condition of your rims and correct build are crucial to your safety. It is important that
you read this manual thoroughly to ensure that your rims function properly and safely. This
manual explains the recommended care, inspection, and maintenance of your Astral rims.

These are rims and need to be built into wheels. Proper and safe building technique is
required for your safety. If you do not know how to build wheels properly or have any
question about the details of installation or maintenance, have a qualified bicycle dealer
perform the build, installation and maintenance.

Even if your wheelset was built by a bike shop, you should read this manual thoroughly.

Astral Cycling
[e-mail]
www.astralcycling.com

888.308.7700

Inspection – Before Every Ride

Before every ride be sure to inspect every item on this list to ensure your Astral rims are in
top condition and are properly installed on your bicycle. If you find that your wheels require
service or further inspection contact your dealer.

Check that the wheels run true

Check that the rims are clean. Dirty or greasy rims greatly reduce braking effectiveness

and can present a significant safety risk.

Check that the brake pads are clean and properly adjusted

Check that the tires are properly inflated

For aluminum clincher wheels, inflate tires to the inflation pressure indicated on the tire
sidewall or as indicated in the Tire Pressure section. Your rims can be damaged by riding with
insufficient tire pressure. Inspect the tires for damage or excessive wear. If you have any
questions about the condition of your tires, have them inspected by your local bike shop. For
carbon tubular road wheels, inflate tires to a minimum of 100 psi (7.6 bar). Do not exceed the
maximum pressure indicated on the tire sidewall.

PLEASE NOTE: Rims can be damaged if ridden with insufficient tire pressure. Appropriate
pressure may be dependent on road conditions, rider weight and tire size. Impact damage to
rims is not covered under your Astral warranty.

Inspection – Weekly

Check that there are no loose, damaged, or broken spokes

Check that there are no cracks in front or rear rim. If cracks are found, do not ride the
wheel. Take the wheel to your Astral dealer or contact Astral for service.

Carbon fiber rims may become damaged as a result of an accident, impact, or improper handling.
Damage to carbon fiber components may be contained internally, and the rims may appear outwardly
normal and undamaged at a glance. It is very important to thoroughly inspect all the parts on your
bicycle after an accident – but it is especially important that you thoroughly inspect your carbon
fiber rims for signs of damage. Look closely for cracks, deep scratches or gouges, loose fibers and
other surface flaws. If you suspect the rim has been damaged, take your wheel to your Astral dealer
for further inspection.

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A ST R A L C YC L IN G O W N ER ’ S M AN U AL

A ST R A L C YC L IN G O W N ER ’ S M AN U AL

Inspection – Monthly

Check rims for wear. Bicycle rims will wear from the friction of rim braking and may
eventually require replacement. Inspect the rim sidewalls and braking surfaces for heavy
grooving or cracks. Excessive wear from braking can result in an accident causing serious
injury or death.

INSTALLATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Brakes and Brake Pads

PROPER BRAKE PAD ADJUSTMENT
Rim brake pads should be adjusted
so that they sit 1mm to 2mm away
from the rim when the brakes are
released. Toe-in brake pads 1mm. When
the forward most tip of the pad first
contacts the rim, there should be 1mm
space at the back of the pad. Brakes
should be properly centered over the rim
so that each pad is the same distance
from the rim when the brakes are
released.

Rim brake pads should be aligned properly with the braking surface of the rim and should
contact only the machined or designated brake surface of your rim. Ensure there is
adequate clearance between the top of the brake pad and the tire. Improper or misaligned
pads can cause premature rim wear or a sudden tire blowout.

RIMS WITH ALUMINUM BRAKING SURFACE: BRAKE PAD SELECTION AND MAINTENANCE
While your Astral alloy rims do not require special brake pads, for best braking per­formance use the Astral GRAY brake pad. Brake pads from many manufacturers are
available in different compounds. It is important that medium compound pads designed for
aluminum rims are used with your Astral rims. Soft pads may cause brake stutter or be too
“grabby”. Hard compound pads are abrasive and may decrease the life of your wheels.

Inspect and clean your brake pads frequently. Road grit, small rocks and other items can
become embedded in brake pads and cause accelerated wear of the braking surface. If you
hear scratching noises when you brake that is a hint. Check and clean your pads.

WARNING!

Inspect your wheels regularly. Worn or damaged components, or improperly closed Quick
Release mechanisms can cause an accident which may result in serious injury or death.

RIMS WITH CARBON BRAKING SURFACE: BRAKE PAD SELECTION AND MAINTENANCE

Astral carbon rims for rim brakes with carbon brake walls feature a specially prepared

braking surface, but can still be susceptible to heat build-up issues and abrasion. We
strongly recommend the use of the Astral Gray pad, as the use of other pads will void the
warranty and decrease the braking function.

Carbon fiber rims will exhibit different braking characteristics than aluminum rims. Please refer to
our carbon rim braking manual insert for more information. Carbon rims generate heat in braking
and do not dissipate it as quickly as aluminum rims. Managing rim temperatures through proper
brake application is important. If rims are allowed to overheat, damage to the rim and/or tire can
result. During long descents, it is very important that brakes are applied with greater force, more
frequently, and for the shortest time period. Just like in a car, DO NOT DRAG YOUR BRAKES.
The technique of frequent, hard braking and releasing, even if only releasing for brief periods,
significantly reduces rim temperatures.

Carbon rims can have a higher rate of brake pad wear, especially in wet conditions. Check your
brake pad thickness before each ride.

Carbon rims are different from aluminum rims in wet braking conditions. We recommend test
riding your carbon wheels in wet conditions.

Tires

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT RIM STRIPS
It is important that you use a rim strip, rim tape (such as Velox) or tubeless rim tape with your
wheels. Before installing tires, make sure this is in place and completely covers all spoke holes
in the tire bed. If the spoke holes are not completely covered, a sudden loss of tire pressure or
blowout could occur.

Tire selection, installation and tire pressure – clincher tires

CLINCHER TIRES WITH INNER TUBES

This is the type of tire system most riders are familiar with. Follow normal clincher tire installa­tion procedures. If you are not familiar with tire installation, see your dealer. Do not use metal
or narrow plastic tire levers to install or remove tires. These levers can damage the rim. For best
results use: Park Tool - TL-6, TL-1.1, TL-4, TL-4.2 or Lezyne Power XL levers.

ROAD

Do not inflate tires above the pressure listed in the Recommended Tire Pressure table or

the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall of the tire, whichever is lower. Overinflating
can cause sudden blowout or damage to your wheels. For carbon clinchers in particular,
under inflation of tires may allow rims to make contact with the road surface resulting in
damage to the rim. Do not use Latex inner tubes with carbon clincher rims.

FWD

TOE-IN

GAP

1MM

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A ST R A L C YC L IN G O W N ER ’ S M AN U AL

MAINTENANCE

WARNING!

Repair and service of Astral rims requires special tools and knowledge, and should be
undertaken only by a qualified service technician at a professional bicycle shop. Repairs,
service, or adjustments performed by an inexperienced person could lead to wheel failure
that may cause a crash resulting in injury.

WARNING!

Incompatible or improperly installed components can damage your rims and wheelset and/
or cause an accident which may result in injury or d

eath. Make sure your brakes are adjusted
and functioning properly. Make sure your tires are installed and inflated properly. Test the braking
performance of your new wheels in a safe manner.

WARNING!

Carbon rim wheels can be damaged from excessive heat. Examples can include wheels
left in a parked vehicle on a very hot day or placed next to a heat source such as car
exhaust on a rear mount bicycle rack. Take care to avoid these situations with carbon
wheels.

CARE AND CLEANING

For general cleaning use soap and water.

WHEEL TRUING
Wheel truing involves special tools and knowledge and should be performed by a qualified profes­sional wheel builder.

TANDEM
Due to the greater weight of two riders, we recommend inflating tires to maximum

pressure recommendations on the Recommended Tire Pressure table or sidewall of tire,
whichever is lower. Using a larger tire at a lower pressure provides more rim protection
than a narrower tire at higher pressure.

TUBELESS CLINCHER TIRES (WITHOUT INNER TUBES)

All Astral rims can be set up tubeless, but require tubeless rim tape and a valve. Follow your
tire manufacturer’s recommendation for installation. For tubeless kits, see astralcycling.com.
Our tubeless compatible rims can also be used with conventional clincher tires and inner tubes
however some combinations will be tight and require a tire lever so we recommend you carry tire
levers with you on your rides.

Tire size selection

Wheel Size Rim Width (inteRnal) minimum tiRe Size maximum tiRe Size

622 x 19tC 19mm 25mm 62mm / 2.4”

622

x 22tC, 584 x 22tC 21mm 28mm 64mm / 2.5”

622

x 25tSS 25mm 30mm / 1.5” 67mm / 2.65”

584

x 28tSS 28mm 50mm / 2.0” 70mm / 2.8”

Recommended Tire Pressure

tubeleSS tube type

tiRe Size (mm) tiRe Size (inCh) loW high loW high

23mm - 25mm 80 100 85 110

26mm - 30mm 60 90 70 100

31mm - 35mm 50 80 65 90

36mm - 42mm 1.40” - 1.65” 35 60 50 85

43mm - 50mm 1.66” - 1.99” 35 50 40 65

51mm - 57mm 2.0” - 2.24” 30 45 35 55

58mm - 62mm 2.25” - 2.44” 25 35 30 50

63mm - 76mm 2.45” - 3.0” 20 35 25 40

A ST R A L C Y C L I N G O W N E R ’ S M A N UA L

ASTRAL LIMITED WARRANTY
Astral warrants each Astral alloy rim to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period
of two years from the date of original retail purchase. Astral warrants each Astral carbon rim to be
free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of five years from the date of original retail
purchase. Decals are warranted for a period of two years from the original date of retail purchase. The
warranty is extended only to the original owner and is not transferable. Proof of purchase and rim serial
number(s) are required for any warranty claim so be sure to keep your receipt.

Astral will, at its sole discretion, repair or replace any rim that it determines to be defective with an
equivalent part. There is no other remedy, expressed or implied, under this warranty. Astral cannot
guarantee that all custom colors or decals will be available for replacement, but we will do our best
provide a comparable option.

This warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, nor does it apply to damage that is the result of
abuse, neglect, improper assembly, improper maintenance, alteration, damage resulting from or relating
to use with unauthorized components, modifications or attachments, damage caused by use of the rims
for purposes other than those for which it was designed, including use on unsuitable surfaces or at
unsafe speeds, misuse or riding like a complete and utter knucklehead. The costs of disassembly, reas­sembly or repair of the rims and any attached components are not covered by this warranty and are the
responsibility of the original owner. Under no circumstance are the costs of shipping to or from Astral
covered by this limited warranty. No employee, distributor, dealer or agent of Astral is authorized to make
any warranty in addition to or different from the foregoing limited warranty.

Unless otherwise provided, the sole remedy under the above warranty, or any implied warranty, is limited
to the replacement of defective parts with those of equal or greater value at the sole discretion of
Astral. In no event shall Astral be liable for any other damages or liability including for direct, incidental,
consequential damages, including, without limitation, damages for personal injury, property damage, or
economic losses, whether based on contract, warranty, negligence, strict tort, product liability, or any
other theory.

THE FOREGOING LIMITED WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND

FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
The sole remedy for breach of the limited warranty set forth herein is Astral’s repair or replacement, as
described herein. In no event shall Astral be liable for any other damages or liability, including special,
incidental or consequential damages based upon breach of warranty, breach of contract, negligence,
strict tort, or any other legal theory, and including damages arising from or related to any physical injury
to person or property. Some states do not allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so
the above exception may not apply to you. This warranty, and statutory law, gives the consumer specific
legal rights, and those rights may vary from place to place.

©

2018 Astral

888.308.7700

www.astralcycling.com

pn 42800 rev. 10/17