Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - bombproof rim rec

I'm waffling between the standard IRO / Aerohead wheel and getting a wheel built at the LBS. My issue is with the Aerohead rim, which is pretty light, pinned not welded (I think), and lacks eyelets.

Any recommendations for a welded, eyeletted, and reasonably priced rim? I like the Mavic OP, but it's like $90 CDN at my local shop. Weight, especially 50 or so grams, is not an issue for me, but nasty potholes, hopping curbs, and Prairie winters are. At 140 lbs, I'm pretty light, but I'm still concerned about the longevity of the wheel.

I just had a set of Open Pros built, laced 3x, and then drove into a parked car going at least 35km/h (A long story, which I intend on posting very soon.). My front wheel is still completely true and my rear (which I landed on after doing a 3/4 flip) is only slightly warped and completely repairable. I can't attest for longevity as they're only four days old but I do know they're hella stronger than my Steamroller fork.

I would go with my old reliable, Mavic CXP 33's. They aren't cheap but built like a tank when the road/trail get rough. Weighs a little more than the Open Pro's but stiff as hell. Price ain't cheap but they are quality Rims.

Old School Mavic MA40s are very strong and relatively cheap. You can find them on ebay/swap meets/craigslist/yard sales.

Old School Mavic MA40s are very strong and relatively cheap. You can find them on ebay/swap meets/craigslist/yard sales.

I have a front Mavic T520 which is on my Miyata 1000 touring bike. It's solid. I also have a Mavic T719(for 29'ers) which is very strong too. They are not as cheap as MA40s and MA3s, but they are well worth the money. The older version of the Mavic T520s/T519's are the Mavic T221(not 100% on the numbering name). I got a front T221 which are very solid although a spoke got bent from too many potholes.

As you can see I like Mavic wheels.

i rode down 5 steps with my aeroheads i jump curbs and there still perfect. im not a small guy im 6'3 and 170 they work for me

Yes I know, ubiquitous and posery but, Deep V's cheap, bombproof.

CXP33's - I hit a pothole hard enough to bend two tubes on a steel 531 frame, but the wheels are just fine.

Old School Mavic MA40s are very strong and relatively cheap. You can find them on ebay/swap meets/craigslist/yard sales.
I think they wwere 30$ a rim on nashbutt.com a ways back. I rode one hard for a couple years in boston in all seasons at 240 lbs.

I ride my Sun CR-18s off curbs at speed and down small stairways (carefully) every day for the past couple months and they stay pretty true. Of course, by posting this I'll guarantee myself a taco tomorrow.

Just about any of the semi-profile rims should be nice and strong, if a bit heavy. Aerohead, Deep-V, CXP33, CXP22, probably a few others.

I just had a set of Open Pros built, laced 3x, and then drove into a parked car going at least 35km/h (A long story, which I intend on posting very soon.). My front wheel is still completely true and my rear (which I landed on after doing a 3/4 flip) is only slightly warped and completely repairable. I can't attest for longevity as they're only four days old but I do know they're hella stronger than my Steamroller fork.

ha! i had nearly the same experience recently. my open pros (radial) are still totally true, and are coming up on one year now.

i'm totally sold on the combo.

open pros get my vote. strong light and reliable. my wheelbuilder rated them at 25k+ miles.

Mavic MA3 or CXP33. At 200 pounds I had trouble keeping Open Pros true.

I've got an EAI Super Turbo that is so damn built that I swear, I could hit a car with it, dent the car, and the rim would still be fine...

I actually no someone that got one hit by a motorcycle and the rim is still true. Actually, its STAYED true for 5 years...

I second the MA3 or MA40s.

Look for the Velocity Aeros... not Aeroheads. They're not as lightweight and pretty stout.

Mavic MA3 or CXP33. At 200 pounds I had trouble keeping Open Pros true.

I was 260 when I got mine, 220 now -- 8-9k miles and they are as true as when I bought them.

the new Mavic MA3's (last 3 yrs or so?) seem crappier than the old ones, anyone else notice that? Another vote for MA40s, really tough. Open Pro's are great, they true back up most easily IME. Velocity Deep V's also lasted me many miles of city riding, probably less maintenance, but after a car collision showed me the relative weakness of even the beefiest rim... I ride open pro's

Ive never had a problem with my Deep V's. I weigh 185lbs and they would have to be my wheel of choice. Im also putting a set of them on my Fetish track frame im building up as well.

My Sun CR-18 has proven to be tougher than I am.

What about Alex rims. My LBS, which happens to be the only fixed gear friendly shop in Winnipeg, highly recommends the ATA22. This is one of the cheapest rims they stock, but the owner recommends it over the Open Pro, CXP 33, and basically all Mavic.

I looked at the cross section of these rims, and the Alex ATA22 is waay burlier than the Mavics. According to the owner, the Open Pros are thinner to offset the additional weight of the eyelets. He also said the aluminum of the OPs is more brittle and prone to cracking. Food for thought.