I have a relatively new (~500 miles) set of Zipp 1Zero HiTop SW wheels that came on a bike a purchased about 6 months ago. I’ve recently noticed a small, almost perfectly round hole in the side of the front rim. I haven’t had any incidents that I consider unusual and the nature of the hole has me wondering if it might be a manufacturing issue. Yes, I’m contacting the company from which I bought the bike, but just wanted to throw this out there to see if anyone had any ideas about what might be the cause.
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Ptor
Interesting damage to carbon rim
I have a relatively new (~500 miles) set of Zipp 1Zero HiTop SW wheels that came on a bike a purchased about 6 months ago. I’ve recently noticed a small, almost perfectly round hole in the side of the front rim. I haven’t had any incidents that I consider unusual and the nature of the hole has me wondering if it might be a manufacturing issue. Yes, I’m contacting the company from which I bought the bike, but just wanted to throw this out there to see if anyone had any ideas about what might be the cause.
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almost looks like a puncture from a hard side hit from something small and pointy but I'd expect splintering or rough edges from something like that. Super weird that is also appears to have clear coat or some form of protection around it too? Never seen something like that
My neighborhood has a guy that goes around to all the garages and checks out their rims to see what they're running "under the hood", so to speak. Brian something-or-other. Sometimes he likes to drill holes in the rims so he remembers if he's checked them already.
(OK, fine. It's just a drain hole.)
(OK, fine. It's just a drain hole.)
🚨 Outbreak: Carbon Rim Boring Beetle Ravages U.S. Cycling Community
Scientists Scramble to Contain Post-COVID Invasive Species Threatening High-End Bikes
BOULDER, CO – July 8, 2025 — What began as an isolated curiosity—a single 1.8mm hole appearing mysteriously in a $3,000 carbon rim—has now ballooned into a full-blown ecological crisis. U.S. scientists have confirmed that the so-called Carbon Rim Boring Beetle (Xylocycla carbonaria) has rapidly spread through mountain biking hotspots across Colorado, Utah, and parts of California, leaving behind tiny boreholes and devastated wallets.
The invasive insect, native to remote regions of Chile, is believed to thrive in areas rich in natural carbon composites. According to entomologists at the University of Colorado, the beetle’s behavior is highly specialized: adult females chew a single 1.5–2mm hole into carbon fiber bike rims or frames to lay one or two eggs before moving on. "They seem to be targeting the highest-end wheels. Enve, Zipp, Reserve—no brand is safe," said Dr. Mallory Drexler, lead researcher on the project.
A Global Pandemic… and a Beetle?
The trail of devastation can be traced back to one man: Herbert Shufflebottom, an amateur enduro enthusiast and part-time kombucha artisan. During a prolonged COVID-19 lockdown in 2021, Shufflebottom and his family spent 14 months quarantining in Chile’s Maipo Valley. Upon returning to his home in Boulder, he unknowingly carried several beetle larvae inside the hollow chambers of his carbon trail bike’s rear triangle.
"At first, we just thought he’d rolled over a tack or something," said neighbor and fellow rider Casey "Gnarr Daddy" Klein. "Then everyone on our ride started finding perfect little holes in their rims, like the Beetle was trying to make us all run inserts."
Bars Are Safe… For Now
Interestingly, while frames and rims are vulnerable, carbon handlebars seem naturally resistant. "There’s something about the weave and resin blend in most bar manufacturing that the beetle finds unappetizing," Dr. Drexler explained. "It’s either that, or the beetles are just scared of the stem clamp."
The War Against the Beetle
The Department of Agriculture has declared a "Level 3 Invasive Gearhead Threat" and is currently coordinating with biotech firms to develop a gene therapy aimed at mimicking handlebar carbon immunity in wheel and frame carbon. Meanwhile, shops have reported massive backorders of alloy rims as panic spreads.
Boulder-based startup Rimmunize™ has begun field-testing a proprietary carbon epoxy “booster coat” derived from handlebar resin, though early trials have been mixed. "It's like mosquito repellent," said test rider Amanda Chu. "They might land on you, but they won’t stay."
What Can Riders Do?
Officials urge all riders to inspect their carbon parts weekly and quarantine any components with boreholes. "If you see a hole, don’t ignore it. It’s not a rock strike. It's a warning," said Drexler. “Contain it. Isolate it. Burn it if you must.”
Despite the chaos, many riders remain defiant. "I’ll take my chances," said Shufflebottom, ironically now riding an all-aluminum hardtail. "But I do keep it in the freezer at night, just in case."
If you've recently returned from Chile, or your carbon wheels have sprouted strange holes, contact the National Bike Pest Hotline at 1-800-SPINBUG.
Scientists Scramble to Contain Post-COVID Invasive Species Threatening High-End Bikes
BOULDER, CO – July 8, 2025 — What began as an isolated curiosity—a single 1.8mm hole appearing mysteriously in a $3,000 carbon rim—has now ballooned into a full-blown ecological crisis. U.S. scientists have confirmed that the so-called Carbon Rim Boring Beetle (Xylocycla carbonaria) has rapidly spread through mountain biking hotspots across Colorado, Utah, and parts of California, leaving behind tiny boreholes and devastated wallets.
The invasive insect, native to remote regions of Chile, is believed to thrive in areas rich in natural carbon composites. According to entomologists at the University of Colorado, the beetle’s behavior is highly specialized: adult females chew a single 1.5–2mm hole into carbon fiber bike rims or frames to lay one or two eggs before moving on. "They seem to be targeting the highest-end wheels. Enve, Zipp, Reserve—no brand is safe," said Dr. Mallory Drexler, lead researcher on the project.
A Global Pandemic… and a Beetle?
The trail of devastation can be traced back to one man: Herbert Shufflebottom, an amateur enduro enthusiast and part-time kombucha artisan. During a prolonged COVID-19 lockdown in 2021, Shufflebottom and his family spent 14 months quarantining in Chile’s Maipo Valley. Upon returning to his home in Boulder, he unknowingly carried several beetle larvae inside the hollow chambers of his carbon trail bike’s rear triangle.
"At first, we just thought he’d rolled over a tack or something," said neighbor and fellow rider Casey "Gnarr Daddy" Klein. "Then everyone on our ride started finding perfect little holes in their rims, like the Beetle was trying to make us all run inserts."
Bars Are Safe… For Now
Interestingly, while frames and rims are vulnerable, carbon handlebars seem naturally resistant. "There’s something about the weave and resin blend in most bar manufacturing that the beetle finds unappetizing," Dr. Drexler explained. "It’s either that, or the beetles are just scared of the stem clamp."
The War Against the Beetle
The Department of Agriculture has declared a "Level 3 Invasive Gearhead Threat" and is currently coordinating with biotech firms to develop a gene therapy aimed at mimicking handlebar carbon immunity in wheel and frame carbon. Meanwhile, shops have reported massive backorders of alloy rims as panic spreads.
Boulder-based startup Rimmunize™ has begun field-testing a proprietary carbon epoxy “booster coat” derived from handlebar resin, though early trials have been mixed. "It's like mosquito repellent," said test rider Amanda Chu. "They might land on you, but they won’t stay."
What Can Riders Do?
Officials urge all riders to inspect their carbon parts weekly and quarantine any components with boreholes. "If you see a hole, don’t ignore it. It’s not a rock strike. It's a warning," said Drexler. “Contain it. Isolate it. Burn it if you must.”
Despite the chaos, many riders remain defiant. "I’ll take my chances," said Shufflebottom, ironically now riding an all-aluminum hardtail. "But I do keep it in the freezer at night, just in case."
If you've recently returned from Chile, or your carbon wheels have sprouted strange holes, contact the National Bike Pest Hotline at 1-800-SPINBUG.
It is by design, primary purpose is in the event that the tape is not sealed properly, that when inflating the tire you will not blow up the rim by allowing the air to escape. Used to be a common issue with road wheels. I guess it would drain water also, but not sure how water would get in there
Like what everyone else said, it is a drain hole. I have had wheels that have it, and some that don't.
Update: Carbon Handlebars No Longer Safe as Beetle Evolves Appetite
New Strain of Xylocycla carbonaria Targets Once-Immune Components
BOULDER, CO – July 9, 2025 — In a grim twist to an already bizarre ecological saga, researchers at the University of Colorado have confirmed that carbon handlebars—previously thought immune to infestation—are now being bored through by a mutated strain of the Carbon Rim Boring Beetle.
“We’ve identified a subvariant, X. carbonaria v2, which has adapted to the tighter weave and denser resin composition used in high-end handlebars,” said Dr. Mallory Drexler in a hastily convened press conference. “The bars were the last stronghold. We’ve officially lost that battle.”
The shift was first detected when a set of $400 carbon trail bars belonging to pro freerider Tessa “DropBear” Malone developed a telltale 2mm hole near the brake lever clamp. “I thought it was a chip from a crash,” said Malone. “But then I found another hole… on the backup bars still in the box.”
Forensic entomology has traced this evolution to a single mating pair of beetles stowed away in a World Cup team van returning from a Chilean race camp. Unlike their predecessors, the new beetles exhibit “material promiscuity,” boring into not only rims and frames but stems, seatposts, and even aero bars.
Aftermarket Chaos Ensues
Bike shops are reeling. Alloy handlebars have vanished from shelves. Riders have resorted to wrapping carbon components in mothballs, vacuum sealing cockpit areas, or coating bars in pine tar.
Boulder-based biotech startup Rimmunize™, previously focused on wheel coatings, has pivoted to a new product line: BarGuard™, a stem-to-tip paste said to mimic the chemical signature of raw aluminum. Early tests show promise—but at the cost of adding 300g per bar.
Government Responds
In response, the Department of Agriculture has escalated the crisis to a “Level 4 Composite Failure Event,” authorizing emergency funding and component buyback programs. “We urge all cyclists to switch to full alloy contact points until further notice,” said spokesperson Trina Lemke.
Even pro pelotons are adjusting. Team Movistar was seen this morning racing with 1998-era aluminum drops and 11kg bikes. “It’s ugly. It’s heavy,” said mechanic Javier Ortega. “But at least it’s not full of bugs.”
As for Herbert Shufflebottom, unwitting patient zero, he remains unrepentant. “They said bars were safe. They said I was paranoid,” he muttered while inspecting his titanium singlespeed. “Now who’s laughing?”
If your bars are carbon and you notice a suspicious hole or fine powder, contact the Carbon Component Emergency Line at 1-800-BARBUGS.
New Strain of Xylocycla carbonaria Targets Once-Immune Components
BOULDER, CO – July 9, 2025 — In a grim twist to an already bizarre ecological saga, researchers at the University of Colorado have confirmed that carbon handlebars—previously thought immune to infestation—are now being bored through by a mutated strain of the Carbon Rim Boring Beetle.
“We’ve identified a subvariant, X. carbonaria v2, which has adapted to the tighter weave and denser resin composition used in high-end handlebars,” said Dr. Mallory Drexler in a hastily convened press conference. “The bars were the last stronghold. We’ve officially lost that battle.”
The shift was first detected when a set of $400 carbon trail bars belonging to pro freerider Tessa “DropBear” Malone developed a telltale 2mm hole near the brake lever clamp. “I thought it was a chip from a crash,” said Malone. “But then I found another hole… on the backup bars still in the box.”
Forensic entomology has traced this evolution to a single mating pair of beetles stowed away in a World Cup team van returning from a Chilean race camp. Unlike their predecessors, the new beetles exhibit “material promiscuity,” boring into not only rims and frames but stems, seatposts, and even aero bars.
Aftermarket Chaos Ensues
Bike shops are reeling. Alloy handlebars have vanished from shelves. Riders have resorted to wrapping carbon components in mothballs, vacuum sealing cockpit areas, or coating bars in pine tar.
Boulder-based biotech startup Rimmunize™, previously focused on wheel coatings, has pivoted to a new product line: BarGuard™, a stem-to-tip paste said to mimic the chemical signature of raw aluminum. Early tests show promise—but at the cost of adding 300g per bar.
Government Responds
In response, the Department of Agriculture has escalated the crisis to a “Level 4 Composite Failure Event,” authorizing emergency funding and component buyback programs. “We urge all cyclists to switch to full alloy contact points until further notice,” said spokesperson Trina Lemke.
Even pro pelotons are adjusting. Team Movistar was seen this morning racing with 1998-era aluminum drops and 11kg bikes. “It’s ugly. It’s heavy,” said mechanic Javier Ortega. “But at least it’s not full of bugs.”
As for Herbert Shufflebottom, unwitting patient zero, he remains unrepentant. “They said bars were safe. They said I was paranoid,” he muttered while inspecting his titanium singlespeed. “Now who’s laughing?”
If your bars are carbon and you notice a suspicious hole or fine powder, contact the Carbon Component Emergency Line at 1-800-BARBUGS.
That is a drain hole. It is intentionally put there by the manufacturer to drain any water that gets into the spoke channel of the rim. Water can get into the rim from washing, stream crossings or whatever. Without the drain holes, the water can cause corrosion to alloy spoke nipples through electrolysis. So drain holes are a feature that is beneficial. I’ve ordered several sets of carbon rims from Light Bikes and this is an optional feature that you can get from them. I always opt for the holes, usually one hole per side.
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