Bicycle Mechanics - Sun CR18 w/ 23c tires?

I'm going to be building a wheelset, and I want to be able to use 23c tires on it. I'd like to use CR18 rims. They have an external width of 22.5, and internal width of 17.5. Looking at a chart at Sheldon Brown's site, it looks like this is questionable. (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire_sizing.html#width)

What do you think?

CR18 is a mountain bike rim, is there 23c tires in this diameter. Another question, why?

Edit: Based on the comment of others, my information about the rims being MTB only is wrong. Sorry, I was just stating what the Sun web site stated.

CR18 has all kinds of sizes. I'm looking at the 700c size. I've heard of lots of people using them for all types of bikes. I want to use them because they're cheap, I have them on my Bike Friday and they work great, and most people seem to say nice things about them.

i tried panaracer 28s on mine when i first built them, didn't like the looks of it and went to 32s. but this was also for a bike use heavily for shopping and possibly touring. i'm always a little worried by tires that match the rim width. not inflate the tires enough or hit something too hard you're going to dent or flatten the rim. suns M13II are narrower, about the same price, similar look, and are a decent grunt road rim.

Now that seems like a highly reasonable option. How do you look up rim widths to research this stuff for Sun rims? Sun-Ringle.com isn't too helpful with their info - is there some other place to get the info about dimensions?

don't know for sure, but's probably around 19.5 mm. it's low profile, roundy, polished or black; a good rim if you want a more classic look. it's basically an OEM rim, so Sun probably doesn't feel like giving much info on it. However, the distributors JB importers and i think Action Imports carry this rim, both of whom have coverage in PA. call around and see who has it for a closer look.

Upon looking around for some kind of info on the M13II rim, it looks like they are indeed being used with plenty of 23c tires and narrower. J&B's got'em - I'm gonna use'em. Thanks for all the info.

I like the CR18 because of its width, being a clydesdale I need a lotta tire under me and the wide rim allows more of the tire to contact the road and a larger air chamber to hold me up.
Brake pad interference with the tire during wheel mounting is much less of a proablem.
I figure as long as the tire is slightly wider than the rim things are just fine.

I figure as long as the tire is slightly wider than the rim things are just fine.

I would assume this myself - and would have just gone with the CR18 rims had it not been for the chart (linked above) at Sheldon Brown's site. If he put up the chart, then he must think the information is pretty valid - and if he thinks 23c tires on a CR18 rim might not be a good idea, then I'm definitely just going to trust his expertise. I really did wonder what others would have to say about this combo - and it seems like people generally tend to agree. I want to build a wheelset that makes the most sense, and avoid the "hmmm... shoulda listened" thing. M13II are an obvious, but overlooked choice. I like 23c tires, and all the choices I have when I'm buying them. I definitely need a rim that works well with them.

Thanks, y'all

bikepartsusa.com is a pretty good source for the M13, even in 27"!

Sun also makes the ME14 for retail in this general price range.

Their ERD chart can be hard to find. I've never found it through a link on their website, but google turned up this URL: http://www.sun-ringle.com/ERDChart.html

I think Sheldon is being a bit cautious, maybe from tires claiming to be 23mm when they barely measure 20. Me, I ride 28mm and 32mm when they fit.
I also accept full responsibility for my choices of bicycle equipment, if I get hurt then its my own dang fault.