great discussion. Exactly the same topic I was pondering about too. MA-3's are 1/2 the price of Open-Pro's and that does mean quite a few beers. However, I've had MA-3 36H rim on the back of my bike for a few years, and it was my second wheel build ever. It is straight and true. Recently, I fitted a new wheel set with nicer hubs and Open-Pros. Everything is running fine (knock on alloy). Right now I am trying to decided on MA-3 or an Open Pro front rim on a retro bike (which got the older MA-3 rear wheel). The difference is $30 for years of good fun!