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Building a Tubular Wheelset

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Old 10-19-20, 11:10 AM
  #1  
Lemond1985
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Building a Tubular Wheelset

I have several sets of clincher wheels that I could use the spokes from, so I'm trying to find a set of tubular rims I can use to rebuild into tubulars.

Unfortunately, it seems like no one makes new tubular wheels much, everything I saw on Ebay were old NOS Campy, Mavic, and Wolber rims. Does anyone build good tubular rims new these days?

Since i could not find anything new, i was thinking of using these to rebuild some old campy Omega clincher wheels. Any comments on this choice? I seem to recall seeing these rims on pro bikes BITD.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-WOLBER-...7782?_trkparms
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Old 10-19-20, 03:03 PM
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They're fine. Do you know the ERD is the same as what you have so you can use the spokes? Are you ready to learn how to properly mount the tires?
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Old 10-19-20, 04:55 PM
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Not ready for gluing yet, just trying to get a set built up first, and then select my first tires. I would like an aero section rim, for strength, and because my clinchers are all aero profile.

I have rebuilt many sets of wheels where the profile of the two rims were "close enough". If I miscalculate, that'll just give me an excuse to splurge on some Sapim bladed spokes or something fancy. But in the past, as long as they are 32 spoke wheels, with a 3 cross pattern, I can use quite a variety of rims using my old spokes and nipples.

Are there any manufacturers still building 32 spoke tubular rims?
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Old 10-19-20, 05:35 PM
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Lemond1985
What about these?
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ws...216379444.html
Best, Ben
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Old 10-19-20, 05:38 PM
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I'm not sure what you've been up to previously but I'd want to be right on or within a single mm regarding spoke length. Tubular rims aren't very good sellers these days as you can pull a great carbon wheel out of a box that is light and very aero. 32 spoke rims? Pretty much just NOS.
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Old 10-19-20, 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by xiaoman1
Yes, that's probably something like what I will end up with.
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Old 10-19-20, 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Lemond1985
Yes, that's probably something like what I will end up with.
I recently built up a wheelset with Victory Stradas and have been happy. Don’t know how specs compare to those pictured.

I also built a set using Velocity Major Toms and have been happy- https://www.velocityusa.com/product/rims/major-tom-622

Then these are pricier: https://wheelbuilder.com/hed-belgium-c2-tubular-rim/ I can’t find them on HED’s site so maybe out of production now?
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Old 10-19-20, 07:11 PM
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I've gotten so many clincher rims that started out already out of round (especially Mavics for some reason) that I just hoping to get some nice delta-shaped tubular rims that are built straight, I don't think the brand matters too much. Campys would be nice, I have had excellent luck with all of their rims that i have built up.

That triangular shape is such a strong design, it's hard to go wrong with it. Or so I hope. Some really deep profile rims would be nice, but I just want to stay cheap and simple for now.
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Old 10-19-20, 09:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Lemond1985

That triangular shape is such a strong design, it's hard to go wrong with it. Or so I hope. Some really deep profile rims would be niceheavy, but I just want to stay cheap and simple for now.
Unless they're carbon.
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Old 10-20-20, 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by L134

Then these are pricier: https://wheelbuilder.com/hed-belgium-c2-tubular-rim/ I can’t find them on HED’s site so maybe out of production now?
Wow, HED's not making these anymore? I built up a set a couple years ago and they're pretty nice... worth shopping for.

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Old 10-20-20, 08:47 PM
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Not many choices for aluminum tubular rims. Velocity dropped the Escape, but still offer the Major Tom. It's more for cyclocross and wider tires. I think 25s are the minimum.
Ambrosio still makes tubulars as far as I know.
Lots of choices in carbon fiber though.
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