Ceramic or tungsten carbide coated rims?

[Cave]

Hi,

Has anyone used or serviced (Mavic) ceramic or (Thorn badged) tungsten carbide coated rims (not anodized)?

I'm considering them for 26" road touring tandem wheels, using V brakes - better wet weather performance and slower heat buildup according to the manufacturer (Thorn).

Definitely V brakes, not discs. I'm looking for feedback on the rims - durability, brake pad wear, braking performance.

Will cross post in Touring, Tandem and MTB.

[stapfam]

I have a friend that uses Ceramic mavic rims on his Tandem and they have eliminated the big problem he had of Wearing out rims. He had to fit special Brake blocks but he uses Hydraulic rim brakes so I cannot give you any indication of types to use. He got worried about 3 years ago as he chipped the ceramic coating at one point and he thought he would have to replace the rims. This has not been the case, but he now checks the rims and brake blocks a bit more often than he used to.

[sch]

I have used the Mavic CD on my road bike and they stay cleaner
and brake very well. Had a divot out of the CD coating from ? RR
track or similar but surprised me that there has been no grabbing
at the rim in braking even with that. Haven't noted increased
pad wear yet, after 8-10kmi on the rims. I recommend
the Mavics. Don't know about the other.

[Cave]

Sounds like ceramic is effective.

The tungsten carbide coating apparently dosen't chip off. My concerns are that it wears pads even faster than ceramic, that the rims are non-eyeletted, and that this appears to be a new product without much of a track record so far.

[mrfish]

Why not give Thorn a call to discuss? They do like taking phone calls, and will probably put you through to someone who designed and rides the product every day. From what I've heard they also stand behind their products, so if there are problems they will do their best to fix it. Do report back.