ehcoplex 

OK, not specifically C&V, but this is the place for the best advice/info/etc! I need to build a set of 650B wheels for a Holdsworth I just picked up. I built up a set of 650B wheels for my PX-10 conversion last winter with V-O Voyageur rims. They're fine, look nice, shiny. Had a little bit of a headache with a flat spot at the seam when truing up, but it worked out. V-O has a 25% off sale ending in a day or two. I've been curious about the Pacenti 650B rims, but they're N/A most places, or $$$ (+ a lot of shipping from the likes of Rene Herse...). I've read some less-than-great reviews of the Velocity 650B rims. Happened to come across Soma Weymouth rims at a good price from a couple places... and they're a little narrower than the Voyageurs, which would be good for this build as I think 38c will be the max tire width. Anyway, any recs, experiences, etc etc? Thx!

nlerner

I’ve bought Grand Bois 650b Papillon rims directly from Japan:

https://cyclesgrandbois.com/SHOP/gb_r_b_p.html

Price isn’t bad even with shipping.

ehcoplex 

Ah, interesting- I hadn't thought of Grand Bois rims..

amillhench

I’ve used VO voyager, velocity quill and A23 and was happy with all of them. The quill is supposed to be stronger but I never had an issue with A23s even going through arroyos full of babyheads on 38s.

Pacenti has gone up a lot for their wheelsets. They were ~450 last I checked and earlier today I saw they’re now $700! ($120/rim).

Crust also makes a nice vintage looking rim in 650b but I haven’t seen any reviews.

I believe the Weymouth was the same as an earlier rim VO sold. I forget the name but it was before the Enterprise and Voyager came out. I ran those, too but not for long as I need tubeless out here.

I’m 170lbs FWIW.

ehcoplex 

It may end up just coming down to price- with the -25% sale and free shipping the V-O rims are going to be hard to beat..

rccardr 

My A23’s are the best 650b rims I’ve ever owned. Offset rear. Super strong, have never needed attention or truing.

ehcoplex 

Hmm, Carson City has them on sale now for $66, which is about the cheapest for a 650b rim I've seen..... They don't look as pretty as the polished V-O & Grand Bois rims, but hey.... Jeez tho, their website is hard to navigate

rccardr 

Only suggestion is get them in black instead of silver,the silver finish isn’t that nice.
Polished is best,but them are ‘spensive.

ehcoplex 

Yup, rim brake. Silver pref over black.... polished even better.

Andy_K 

I've also been very happy with A23's. They come in a polished silver version (or at least used to), which I think looks pretty good though it doesn't have the classic box shape

52telecaster

I like the a23s as well. I actually don't even mind the zac19s. Cheap but very serviceable rim.

gugie 

I've built the SOMA Weymouths, Pacenti's, A23's, and whatever VO was selling before Voyagers. Any rim with a more triangular cross section is going to be stronger, but they just don't look as nice as a polished, classic cross section rim - the Pacenti's are prettiest. A23's and Dyad's make good strong wheels.

ehcoplex 

Agree, a polished, classic cross section rim is nicer on a vintage ride.....! Wish I were closer to the butcher shop, wouldn't mind adding a couple braze-ons to the Holdsworth before getting it coated!

USAZorro

I got the same a few years back, but through their sole US distributor. I am very pleased with them, and yes, the price was rather reasonable.

gugie 

Looks like they only have 40 hole in stock right now.

ehcoplex 

That's what the link lands on, but if navigate around you can get to the page with other options. Going to see how much the shipping adds to the bill, but I like that they're a little narrower and lighter than either the V-O or the Soma rims.

nlerner

Lace that up to a Sturmey Archer hub and Bob's your IHG uncle!

52telecaster

Don't tempt me.... I have two aw hubs looking for 36 hole shells or 40 hole rims.

retroshifter

does anyone have direct experience with this vendor? Some of the prices look too good to be real.

ehcoplex 

I do- I bought a set of fenders (V-O Zeps, cheaper than direct) and last year some polished Sun M13 rims. The packaging was a little bit less-than-desired, but the contents were fine.
Unfortunately they just communicated that they don't have the Weymouth rims in 36h...

RustyJames 

I have seen a few of their ads and the prices were suspiciously low. Good to know they are legit.

retroshifter

Good to hear your purchase from them went through. I might give them a try in the future. Thanks

ehcoplex 

The website is a real PITA to navigate and find just what you want, but they reply to emails pretty quick.

ehcoplex 

I think I'll end up with another set of the V-O Voyageur rims. Not exactly what I really want, but the Weymouths seem n/a in 36h, polished A23s seem n/a & with shipping the Grand Bois would end up $80 more than the Voyageurs.... The V-O sale makes it really hard not to go with them.

52telecaster

I may build a set of those when gugie gets my Austro Daimler done. I like my a23s but prettier never hurts.