When I started racing in 1953, wood rims were still being used mostly on
training wheels.
They were usually an older set of wheels. When I went training, I usually
had a rear brake attached with a home made brake bridge. The brake pads always
wore the finish off the sides of the rim. On one occassion during a sprint,
my rear wheel completely delaminated in one place causing the wheel to
collapse. Down I went.
Dave Staub
Orange, Ca