Alloy Rim of Choice?
#1
Mr. Dopolina
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Taiwan
Posts: 10,217
Bikes: KUUPAS, Simpson VR
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 149 Post(s)
Liked 117 Times
in
41 Posts
Alloy Rim of Choice?
For all those either building their own wheels, or selecting parts and having someone else build them for you: What alloy rims are you using? For what applications? And why?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,688
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1074 Post(s)
Liked 295 Times
in
222 Posts
I don't have a single favourite. Maybe because I don't build enough wheels.
My favourites back in the 26", rim-brake MTB era were Mavic ceramics. Or for the rear, an OCR that I can't remember the brand of.
My favourites for 26", disc brake MTB were Notubes ZTR Olympic
For 700C utility riding I used double-eyeletted rims from a company called Extreme. Think they're Rosebikes "house" brand.
My favourites back in the 26", rim-brake MTB era were Mavic ceramics. Or for the rear, an OCR that I can't remember the brand of.
My favourites for 26", disc brake MTB were Notubes ZTR Olympic
For 700C utility riding I used double-eyeletted rims from a company called Extreme. Think they're Rosebikes "house" brand.
#3
Mr. Dopolina
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Taiwan
Posts: 10,217
Bikes: KUUPAS, Simpson VR
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 149 Post(s)
Liked 117 Times
in
41 Posts
I don't have a single favourite. Maybe because I don't build enough wheels.
My favourites back in the 26", rim-brake MTB era were Mavic ceramics. Or for the rear, an OCR that I can't remember the brand of.
My favourites for 26", disc brake MTB were Notubes ZTR Olympic
For 700C utility riding I used double-eyeletted rims from a company called Extreme. Think they're Rosebikes "house" brand.
My favourites back in the 26", rim-brake MTB era were Mavic ceramics. Or for the rear, an OCR that I can't remember the brand of.
My favourites for 26", disc brake MTB were Notubes ZTR Olympic
For 700C utility riding I used double-eyeletted rims from a company called Extreme. Think they're Rosebikes "house" brand.
#4
Senior Member
I love my HED Belgium+ rims.Stong, light, tubless ready. A bit on the pricey side.
I have also liked my HplusSons Archetype rim. Built up easy and ride really nice.
For years Mavic Open Pro rims were my go to. But a few years ago I got a couple that weren’t great; seemed like maybe Mavic qc had dropped. Also, I like the wider profile other options provide. haven
I have also liked my HplusSons Archetype rim. Built up easy and ride really nice.
For years Mavic Open Pro rims were my go to. But a few years ago I got a couple that weren’t great; seemed like maybe Mavic qc had dropped. Also, I like the wider profile other options provide. haven
#5
Voice of the Industry
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 12,572
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1188 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
8 Posts
Bob,
A question please since you know a lot about Mavic wheels.
I have a new set of Mavic Ksyrium Elites which have 17mm inner spacing and the alloy Ksyrium's have been around for years.
My first set of these Mavic wheels.
Over bumps, the front wheel is 'noisy'. Anybody else experience this? It makes a bit of a twang over lightly bumpy road surface. Maybe spoke nipples resonating on the rim...don't know.
Took the wheel off the bike, removed the skewer to take the hub and skewer out of the equation and when I bounce the wheel on the ground it makes a high pitch twang.
Any experience?
Thanks
A question please since you know a lot about Mavic wheels.
I have a new set of Mavic Ksyrium Elites which have 17mm inner spacing and the alloy Ksyrium's have been around for years.
My first set of these Mavic wheels.
Over bumps, the front wheel is 'noisy'. Anybody else experience this? It makes a bit of a twang over lightly bumpy road surface. Maybe spoke nipples resonating on the rim...don't know.
Took the wheel off the bike, removed the skewer to take the hub and skewer out of the equation and when I bounce the wheel on the ground it makes a high pitch twang.
Any experience?
Thanks
Last edited by Campag4life; 11-27-18 at 08:01 AM.
#6
Mr. Dopolina
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Taiwan
Posts: 10,217
Bikes: KUUPAS, Simpson VR
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 149 Post(s)
Liked 117 Times
in
41 Posts
Bob,
A question please since you know a lot about Mavic wheels.
I have a new set of Mavic Ksyrium Elites which have 17mm inner spacing and the alloy Ksyrium's have been around for years.
My first set of these Mavic wheels.
Over bumps, the front wheel is 'noisy'. Anybody else experience this? It makes a bit of a twang over lightly bumpy road surface. Maybe spoke nipples resonating on the rim...don't know.
Took the wheel off the bike, removed the skewer to take the hub and skewer out of the equation and when I bounce the wheel on the ground it makes a high pitch twang.
Any experience?
Thanks
A question please since you know a lot about Mavic wheels.
I have a new set of Mavic Ksyrium Elites which have 17mm inner spacing and the alloy Ksyrium's have been around for years.
My first set of these Mavic wheels.
Over bumps, the front wheel is 'noisy'. Anybody else experience this? It makes a bit of a twang over lightly bumpy road surface. Maybe spoke nipples resonating on the rim...don't know.
Took the wheel off the bike, removed the skewer to take the hub and skewer out of the equation and when I bounce the wheel on the ground it makes a high pitch twang.
Any experience?
Thanks
#7
Senior Member
I'm a big fan of the HED Belgium rims for road and Belgium + for cross/gravel/offroad riding. They're not too heavy, very strong and durable, and they build up easy. The only negative that I can think of would have to be the price.
Last edited by Jazzguitar; 11-27-18 at 10:21 AM.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 567
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 241 Post(s)
Liked 232 Times
in
153 Posts
Another fan of HED Belgium and Belgium+ rims. I have Belgium+ on my primary road bikes and love them. Another favorite is the DT Swiss R460. Very similar to the HED Belgium but much less expensive. I have R460s on my fast commuter and they have held up extremely well with ~ 15 lbs of gear and use on the gravel trails that have on my commuting route.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,520
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 354 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20810 Post(s)
Liked 9,456 Times
in
4,672 Posts
I'll be looking for something with the following:
- Tubeless
- 23mm+ wide at the track, 17mm+ internal
- Disc specific, OC would be nice, but not necessary
- 25mm+ deep
#10
Voice of the Industry
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 12,572
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1188 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
8 Posts
I've not really got much experience with those wheels but I've had other wheels that were similar in that they made that sound. I had a set of Fulcrum R1 that were particularly 'vocal'. I assumed it was resonance of some sort, spokes maybe. I never got around to figuring out the root cause. I'd be interested to hear if you do.
If I figure it out, will let you know.
#11
member
Cannot believe nobody suggested Kinlin XR-31T. Crosses all your boxes - 31mm deep, 24mm wide, tubeless, very light. I built a number of wheels with them, both rim and disc and everybody loves them!
#12
Banned
Fwiw,
My touring bike had Mavic Mod 4, my CX bike, Mod 3,
my vintage road bike E2 , (the non CD anodized MA40)..
my vintage road bike E2 , (the non CD anodized MA40)..
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Posts: 8,473
Bikes: CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX & Guru steel
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1743 Post(s)
Liked 1,281 Times
in
740 Posts
I'm betting there are a lot of good choices out there. I've been using a set of Mavic Ksyrium Elites for about 5 years. I have hit pot holes at approx. 35 mph and they have not needed truing in all the time I've owned them. I really like these wheels.
#14
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,617
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10970 Post(s)
Liked 7,497 Times
in
4,193 Posts
I've built a wheelset with them and have had 2 other wheelsets built using them.
I'm far from an expert at building wheels, but they were the easiest so far and probably not coincidentally the rounded so far too.
I like the look- not shallow box and not deep v. Nice middle ground.
I like that they are not heavy and that i can't feel the seam when braking.
I use them for road and gravel. 27mm true sized tire, 31mm true sized tire, and 40mm true sized tire.
I have used 5 different tires by 4 different brands and all different widths, but they all mount and come off easily. That's really nice.
If they were tubeless, I guess thatd be the one improvement.
but one in tubes on my gravel bike even, so I really don't care about it not being specifically designed for tubeless.
#15
Mr. Dopolina
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Taiwan
Posts: 10,217
Bikes: KUUPAS, Simpson VR
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 149 Post(s)
Liked 117 Times
in
41 Posts
So how wide is too wide in terms of internal widths? For road or gravel? Would something maybe 22mm or 23mm Internal be too much for gravel?
#16
Senior Member
I have three sets of them. Two are Belgium+ set up tubeless. Love them. Wheel set weight is 1400g on DTSwiss 240's and with Saphim X-ray spokes. Hard to beat that.
J.
J.
#17
Mostly Harmless
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chittenango, NY
Posts: 56,602
Bikes: Have two wheels
Mentioned: 169 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13720 Post(s)
Liked 4,533 Times
in
2,509 Posts
I don't think 22mm or 23mm internal is too wide for gravel. One is likely running a 40mm "ish" wide tire for gravel.
I use a 29er MTB wheelset for CX and gravel. IIRC, the internal measurement on those is 25mm. No problem with 33mm or 40mm tires.
I use a 29er MTB wheelset for CX and gravel. IIRC, the internal measurement on those is 25mm. No problem with 33mm or 40mm tires.
#18
Mostly Harmless
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chittenango, NY
Posts: 56,602
Bikes: Have two wheels
Mentioned: 169 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13720 Post(s)
Liked 4,533 Times
in
2,509 Posts
#19
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,641
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4739 Post(s)
Liked 1,533 Times
in
1,004 Posts
#20
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 5,331
Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2349 Post(s)
Liked 406 Times
in
254 Posts
HED Belgium(+), as mentioned is a good pick. Another good one is the Easton R90SL. Both are expensive, but well engineered-and you get what you pay for.
#21
Jedi Master
I'm building a set of wheels for my Sam Hillborne with Sun CR18s. Seemed like a good choice. Inexpensive, durable, shiny and wide enough for a 38c tire. I considered a bunch of other rims that were all so much more expensive I couldn't justify it to myself.
#22
Mr. Dopolina
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Taiwan
Posts: 10,217
Bikes: KUUPAS, Simpson VR
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 149 Post(s)
Liked 117 Times
in
41 Posts
This rim looks interesting: Inferno 27
Last edited by Bob Dopolina; 11-27-18 at 06:43 PM.
#23
Mostly Harmless
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chittenango, NY
Posts: 56,602
Bikes: Have two wheels
Mentioned: 169 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13720 Post(s)
Liked 4,533 Times
in
2,509 Posts
#24
Mr. Dopolina
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Taiwan
Posts: 10,217
Bikes: KUUPAS, Simpson VR
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 149 Post(s)
Liked 117 Times
in
41 Posts
Yeah, They seem to be producing the right specs at a decent price. I like the R 500DB. This seems like a sweet spot for gravel.
#25
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,617
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10970 Post(s)
Liked 7,497 Times
in
4,193 Posts
if I saw a rim that size which weighed the same as an archetype, had the same mid-V profile, and was a similar price- I wouldnt be opposed to it at all for gravel.
most any gravel bike will have at least 35mm tires, usually 38-43mm tires, and sometimes something wide like 48mm tires.
a 23mm internal could fit great for that that range.