Classic & Vintage - Modern Rigida AS 23 X SL - the perfect retro rim for vintage rides?

On paper they seem to be the perfect modern retro styled rim for a vintage bike. Better than the Sun rims, MAVIC Open Pro's, or any others I've seen mentioned or pictured. French, straight box cross section with no angles or ridges or anything, available in polished finish, 36h with or without eyelets, hook bead sidewall, available in 27" or 700C, 17mm inside/22.5mm out width, suitable for 23-29mm tires. It just doesn't get any better than that. I don't think I could design a better rim for a vinatge bike if I tried. Except...where the heck do you get the danged things?? Apparently they don't send them here to the colonies. Has anyone ever seen these? I'd love to get hold of a set.

http://www.rigida.com/eng/produits/mtb_single/as_23_x_sl.html

These aren't polished ones but you can imagine what they would look like.

http://www.rigida.com/img/produits/mtb_single/AS23XL.jpg

I diddn't even know Rigida was still in business!

I want some of those, I have two pair of High flange Normandy hubs just begging for those rims. :D

I diddn't even know Rigida was still in business!

I want some of those, I have two pair of High flange Normandy hubs just begging for those rims. :D

I didn't either until I stumbled across their website one day. A set of those in 700C with polished finsh and eyelets would be the shizzle. I'd like to lace up a set to some Normandy's and my UO-8 would be riding in style!

Velocity also makes a similar rim called Twin Hollow. A bit heavier at 540 g.

I just had a set of wheels built with the Velocity Synergy rims, which are 23 or 24 mm wide, eyeletted. Hope to get them tomorrow.

Velocity also makes a similar rim called Twin Hollow. A bit heavier at 540 g.

I just had a set of wheels built with the Velocity Synergy rims, which are 23 or 24 mm wide, eyeletted. Hope to get them tomorrow.

Not bad but the Twin Hollow and Velocity rims are kind of like the Suns and the MAVIC - they have oddly contoured shapes rather than a gently convex box section. Of course I'd grant you that some rims back in the day weren't true box section either though as I'm glancing through Berto's Upgrading Your Bike from 88 the majority are. And they don't seem to be available in a polished finish.

Velocity also makes a similar rim called Twin Hollow. A bit heavier at 540 g.

I just had a set of wheels built with the Velocity Synergy rims, which are 23 or 24 mm wide, eyeletted. Hope to get them tomorrow.

Are you happy with the Synergy rims? I'm looking to have a new 27" wheelset built, and I'm debating between the Velocity Twin Hollow, the Velocity Synergy, and now, thanks to this thread, the Rigida AS 23XSL. Any more thoughts on their relative merits?

Anyone know where online to buy these?

Here's their website itself. The one above won't take you "home."
http://www.rigida.com/#

Doesn't appear they have a sales agent in the USA. But they have some things I want! Yes! Get out the Campy Record hubs and...

Maybe a UK C&V member would be kind enough to give http://www.wildoo.co.uk/index.htm a call?
Group buy? I'd like some polished 700c with eyelets.........

Maybe a UK C&V member would be kind enough to give http://www.wildoo.co.uk/index.htm a call?
Group buy? I'd like some polished 700c with eyelets.........

I'd be in for a pair, if a group buy was happening, and they aren't super pricey.

Looks like they may be available in other countries as well (Sweden, Belgium, Germany, etc) so there could be member points of contact there also.

I'd be in for a pair or two. Not holding my breath but I'll keep my fingers crossed.