Recumbent - Who makes heavy-duty 20" rims?

Title says it all - I want 36 spokes, a deep-V profile, spoke-nipple-grommets (or other reinforcement), and premium braking surfaces. Thanks!

For a fee, I'd guess HED or Aerospoke will build any darn wheel you can think of.
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Let me ask you a question: what rims have you tried that have failed? I ask because I have never seen much durability difference in low-to-medium priced rims. And I don't know anywhere that makes "high-end" narrow 20" rims--except for the places that do carbon blade-spoke wheels, that is.

The weakest link was usually the cheap spokes that low-priced wheels came with, and that the cheap spokes were machine-trued and tightened unevenly, which lead me to always break spokes on the drive side of MTB rear wheels. I can only suppose that since the spokes are too small to put a brand-name on, the bike companies always use the very-cheapest spokes they can find for their lower-tire bikes.... It got to the point that when I'd spend $800 or $1000 on a MTB (this was 10 or 15 years ago) that I'd immediately buy a $30 or $40 set of spokes for the rear wheel and re-lace and hand-true it. And would rarely have any problems after that.

I haven't followed upright bike tech in a few years now; the last "next great thing" I heard of in braking surfaces was the Mavic ceramic-sandpaper stuff. But rim brakes are basically dead as far as I am concerned--disk brakes is where it's at now.
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Try www.gaerlan.com. This is a recumbent bike shop outside of San Francisco. The shop caters to home builders and does a lot of mail orders. They have custom built a wheel for me and I was quite satisfied with the workmanship and the price.

...Let me ask you a question: what rims have you tried that have failed?...

Mavic CXP-33s in 700c size:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=201510

I do know how youse Yanks do things, but over here I can tell any bikeshop wat I want, supply them with a list of brandnames I want used, then get a call 2 days later to say that my custom rim is ready. Its not the most niche market in the world that u need a specialty builder :rolleyes: .
I agree with doug on low priced rims. They're not as good quality rim, but for wat you're doing (eg. not smashing rims up on a downhill run) they'll b more then suitable. However, if you do want an uptown rim, u could try Velocity Taipans;
http://www.bikemania.biz/VeloCity_BMX_Taipan_Wheelset_p/velocity_taipan.htm
They're doubled walled and weigh in about 30grams lighter then a cheapo rim....

http://www.aerospoke.com/recumbentwheel.html

Try www.gaerlan.com. This is a recumbent bike shop outside of San Francisco. The shop caters to home builders and does a lot of mail orders. They have custom built a wheel for me and I was quite satisfied with the workmanship and the price.

I second gaerlan.com They have a lot of recumbent parts available.
BTW they moved from SF to Squaw Valley, a town near Fresno - not the Tahoe ski resort.

Might try http://peterwhitecycles.com/index.html, not cheap. Those that have had him make thier wheels are more than satisfied. If nothing else, one can learn alot by reading his site.

After 4 rear wheels on my TE, my buddy, Earl Russell of Cyclesmithy in Chicago said - go Velocity Deep V, unbutted spokes on a 36 hole rim, then put the disk brake adapter on your TE. Strong rim, no sidewall wear. 1800 miles later, still true!

Thanks Earl!

Tailwinds and Loong Downhills,

Tourezrick

Stock rocket wheels come in 36 spoke with machined rims.

Take a look at http://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=1

I have had a velocity deep v 20" one very strong wheel the only hassle is getting long stem tubes for it.

I have had a velocity deep v 20" one very strong wheel the only hassle is getting long stem tubes for it.Yes. Taipans are fine with a normal length car valve, but the Deep V's are just a pain! Norm' Car valves will work, but it takes alot of skill to get that pump on there!