Cycling UK Forum

Hello,

I am currently using Mavic Open Pro 700c rims (clincher). As with most components these days, despite minimal use in the wet, they do not appear to be as robust nor as long lasting as I fondly recall rims from the "old days" and it's time for me to consider their replacement.

I am intending to reuse my existing hubs 7900 DA and being a traditionalist (as well as 13 stone) I need a 36 hole rear 32 hole front rim. Spokes will be DT DB stainless. My riding used to be described as fast audax i.e. no additional loading apart from me ! Tyre size used is currently 23c (but would like the option to go to 25c).

I am not interested in anything carbon and I value reliability over ultimate lightness. I wonder if anyone could recommend a pair of rims.

I suspect the answer will be there is very little choice and I will probably end up with the same again!

Cheers

Alan

I have these on my audax machines and I have found them to be strong, robust, well priced... no complaints at all.
Available in black and silver, 32 and 36 hole.

http://spacycles.co.uk/m2b0s116p1565/EXAL-LX17

there are numerous reports of tyres being a very tight fit on the Exal rims; this is in stark contrast to Open Pro rims which are usually a very easy fit. There is also a question mark over the published ERD for the Exal rims; the most quoted value may in fact be NSD (Nipple Seat Diameter) rather than proper ERD. They are good value though.

I've not used them myself but some folk rate the Kinlin rims here;

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/m2b195s116p0/Parts-and-Accessories/KINLIN/Components-Wheels-Rims

I would say that they are quite attractive for your build; they come in the correct drillings (32 front symmetric, 36 rear asymmetric), they are a good width for the tyres you want to use, they are not too heavy, and they are a little more aero than an Open Pro.

On the downside the braking surface thickness/wear resistance is unknown and may be no better than Open Pro, and Open Pros are still lighter in weight. You will also need different spoke lengths with the Kinlins; by contrast if the spokes have been reliable with the old rims, many folk (myself included) would tend to opt for an easy life and just re-rim the wheel.

On the plus side the asymmetric Kinlin rear rim ought to build into a strong and reliable wheel, with less extreme spoke tensions.

cheers

http://www.ambrosio.co.uk/ambrosio_rims_clincher.htm

one (or two!) of these.

Hi,
645g and 19mm but a pair at £18.90

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-X-EXAL-ZX19 ... Zj2weDCplA

NATURAL ANKLING wrote:Hi,
645g and 19mm but a pair at £18.90

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-X-EXAL-ZX19 ... Zj2weDCplA

Beware not a regular spoking - these are in 4x9 groups.

I have a pair of those LX17's from Spa on my tourer and they've been fantastic. I'd buy them again.

Hi,

fastpedaller wrote:

NATURAL ANKLING wrote:Hi,
645g and 19mm but a pair at £18.90

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-X-EXAL-ZX19 ... Zj2weDCplA

Beware not a regular spoking - these are in 4x9 groups.

Well spotted
I have a front wheel like this on the skip trainer by accident, fashion , but don't like non standard stuff as it goes out of fashion.

Hi,
19 mm again....................shall I duck now
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REDUCED-PAIR- ... KfN2QHE0xw

Schrader on 622's

NATURAL ANKLING wrote:Hi,
19 mm again....................shall I duck now
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REDUCED-PAIR- ... KfN2QHE0xw

Schrader on 622's

Muppet same spoke pattern..........Ile get me coat..................

I have just ordered a couple of H Plus Son Archetype rims. Won't build them up immediately as need to order spokes once I have measured the rims. But hopefully they will last longer than the current soft Open Pros.

It was a choice between the Kinlin and H Plus Son Archetype. The Kinlin was tempting with the asymmetric rear rim as one of the wheels is an 11 sp and I am not happy with the spoke tensions using an Open Pro.

Hi,
How do the experts rate asymmetric rims

Certainly helps to make the spoke tension balance a bit better on a rear hub with unfavourable geometry (11 speed), so might attribute to a more durable wheel (no spokes left going slack and no crazy high tension right)

Des49 wrote:I have just ordered a couple of H Plus Son Archetype rims. Won't build them up immediately as need to order spokes once I have measured the rims. But hopefully they will last longer than the current soft Open Pros.

It was a choice between the Kinlin and H Plus Son Archetype. The Kinlin was tempting with the asymmetric rear rim as one of the wheels is an 11 sp and I am not happy with the spoke tensions using an Open Pro.

I think the Archetypes are nice rims but ~25mm is the minimum tyre size I'd fit to them. They are wide enough that tyres up to ~35mm are OK for most folk. I just built a set for a chum's training/audax/occasional touring bike, with 3x9 gearing; he said he 'didn't want to have to mess about with them'. Went with 32 front, 36 rear, DB spokes all round apart from SB 13-14G DS rear.

Taking a cue from Surly, we reset his frame from 130mm to 132.5mm; the new wheels are built 135mm (with less dish) and he can still use his other wheels if needs be.

The Archetypes are a very stiff rim and come pretty straight, so are very easy to build; the only snags are of course that you need to use a tool to hold the nipples, and it is easy to build a straight wheel in which the tension is all over the place!

Archetypes are quite a bit thicker in the braking surface vs Open Pro, but then they should be; they are quite a lot heavier. Their claimed weight of 485g is a bit optimistic IME. Anyway I wouldn't think them the best for the OP simply because they don't look quite right with 23mm tyres on, but that is just my opinion.

cheers

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions.

I am tending towards better the devil you know and the Open Pro's once again.

A friend has recommended Open Pro ceramic, but his rims are quite old (they last forever allegedly). Looking on the Mavic site they have something called Open Pro CD. However reading around, general comment suggests that the coating wears off the rim after a 1000 miles or so - not my friends experience, which suggests they are not the same rim.

Unfortunately the matter has become more pressing, as I have only this evening spotted a issue with my rear rim. I would guess that I have had 10,000 miles out of them.

The rear brake had become "snatchy" the last week, so I was on the case and aware something was not quite right.