Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Velocity aerohead or Mavic open pro qd

putting my build list together for my track bike (brakeless) eventually going with two sets of wheels road/track (velocity aerohead or open pro's). I live and ride in NYC so these rims gotta be tough yaet offer a measure of smoothness, looking for feedback and OP's

Thanx!

putting my build list together for my track bike(brakeless)
eventually going with two sets of wheels road/track
I live and ride in NYC so these rims gotta be tough yaet offer a measure of
smoothness, looking for feedback and OP's
Thanx!

Open Pro, not as high profile look wise... great dependable rims. I've commuted thru DC in mine thru a winter and they did fine.

Open pro's are almost the default standard everyone is compared to when you want light strong rim, only real drawback is they are not aero (which is not a drawback to some). I would go with the velocity fusion over the velocity aerohead, you get a bit strong rim and more aero but not so much where it will have significal drawback with crosswinds.

I have built many of both, the open pros are straighter and rounder to start with, the seam is much better and the spoke holes have eyelets. The aeroheads build into a nice looking strong wheel for less money and in my opinion are a better, more stylish rim, when the wheel is finished you will not be able to acheive as even a spoke tension on the drive side of the rear wheel because the rims are generally not as straight before lacing as the Mavics are. I find the Mavics to be more consistant with the quality of the new rims then the velocitys, with the aeroheads, some rims are noticably better than others. When I get them I check them and if they are too far out and I feel I cannot build a good wheel with uniform spoke tension, I send them back. I have never had a problem with them as far as them sending a replacement rim. I have never had to send back a Mavic rim, they are generally about as close to perfect as you can get.

Check out the Campy Montreals: same price range, lightweight, eyeletted, natural silver, and a pinned joint (I think). I have built two sets of wheels with them (touring and fixed) and I think they're the bee's knees. Lickton's bike shop carries them (www.lickbike.com) for around $50/rim.

BK

The answer to the question "Should I get _________ or OpenPros?" is generally "OpenPros." My LBS doesn't carry velocity aerohead because they think they are too crappy to bother building. Too uneven from the factory, and more prone to going out of true. However, apparently, the Velocity Aero is a baddas rim that will last you ages and looks cool. If you're OK with the extra 150 grams a pair they have on the OpenPros.

The Velocity Aero rim is 480 grams so about 45 grams more then the Open pro so not to bad and it is more aero so will give you a slight advantage as far as air resistance which will offset the weight.

Velomax uses velocity rims on their wheels, I have 3 sets of wheels currently built up on velocity rims they have all been great, I admit this has alot to do with the wheel builder also though. QC is not near as good with velocity rims but they are cheaper then similar mavic's and seem to be built well.

The Velocity Aero is 500 grams, says my LBS. They personally weigh all of their rims because most manufacturers lie. (They weigh the rims before eyeletting them, or determine the weight based on some ideal volume weight of the alloy they use, but the actual weight of the alloy can vary drastically at different points in the manufacture process.) The OpenPro happens to weigh 425 grams eyeletted, and the weight is consistent.

The Aero, however, is a great rim. Sturdier than the OpenPro; it can take a real beating.

The Velocity Aero is 500 grams, says my LBS. They personally weigh all of their rims because most manufacturers lie. (They weigh the rims before eyeletting them, or determine the weight based on some ideal volume weight of the alloy they use, but the actual weight of the alloy can vary drastically at different points in the manufacture process.) The OpenPro happens to weigh 425 grams eyeletted, and the weight is consistent.

The Aero, however, is a great rim. Sturdier than the OpenPro; it can take a real beating.

I don't think Velocity makes eyeletted rims. Perhaps that is how they save weight. Instead, Velocity thickens the aluminum where the spoke head sits to improve durability. Also, if weight is the concern, there is the Aerohead, which is supposedly lighter than the Open Pro. Open Pro is a great rim, but it is not the only rim that builds into a fine wheel.

As a great man, who knows what time it is, once said
"Don't believe the hype"

Peace,
BK

Anyone have experience with the velocity deep v's ? And, are those of you that are building with the eyelet-less velocity rimms using washers at the nipple?

I am 200 lbs and have had great luck over the years with hand built non-aero Mavic rims--but 36 hole and a 25 tire--and make sure the spokes are highly tensioned.

The velocity Deep V is a very strong rim, a bit heavier then some rims out their but since it is very aero it makes up for the slight weight difference. Since it is deep v it is also stronger then a box rim so you can get by with less spokes. I dont' believe any of my wheels with velocity rims use washers.

i am not much of a fan of the velocity rims. they do not use eyelets at all and they sleeve the seams and do not weld and machine them. mavics are a step up in quality for sure.

I asked the same question when I built wheels for my fix. I asked around and consulted roadbikereview.com. Given the mixed reviews (http://www.roadbikereview.com/Rims/Mavic%20Inc.,Open,Pro,Clincher,Road,Rim/PRD_28178_2488crx.aspx) of the open pros, I decided to go with a pair of CXP 33's (http://www.roadbikereview.com/Rims/Mavic%20Inc.,CXP33/PRD_28209_2488crx.aspx). This was the first set of wheels that I built. And after about 2000 miles of rough fixed usage, I have never needed to true them.

Sure they're a bit heavier, but it's not like I'm Lance.

The weight penalty everyone is always concerned with go for a few less spokes which you can do because of a stronger aero rim. And the weight penalty is easily overcome because the wheel is more aero.

As far as aero rims.. there is also Sun Venus, Fir SGR30 and ambrosio rims.

[QUOTE=Kev]The weight penalty everyone is always concerned with go for a few less spokes which you can do because of a stronger aero rim. And the weight penalty is easily overcome because the wheel is more aero.

Hi...

I'm no light weight at 245 lbs. My LBS were recommending Velocity Fusions. They're all pretty serious riders but they're also alot smaller than I am so I decided to consult Velocity before making a decision. The folks at Velocity were really nice and felt the Fusions would be strong enough but recommended the Deep Vee with 36 spokes for added strength (If I didn't mind the extra weight). My feeling is that if I'm going to play the 'weight weenie' I should just eat a salad or two. I went with the Deep Vee and am very happy.

My friend is 280 LBS and went with the Mavic CXP33's with Surly hubs (32 hole) and so far so good. I don't think you could go wrong with either.

Jim

Thanks for the feedback! After doing more research I narrowed it down to the Velocity Fusion or the Mavis CPX 33. Both are a tad lighter than the Deep V, and both get good durability reports. Seems like the CPX 33 wins on plain old consistent quality control. Even so, I am going to go with the Fusion 32h for the rear and a Open Pro 32h for the front: I think this will give me the best balance of strength to weight. I'll use DB spokes with high tension.


[QUOTE=Kev]The weight penalty everyone is always concerned with go for a few less spokes which you can do because of a stronger aero rim. And the weight penalty is easily overcome because the wheel is more aero.

Hi...

I'm no light weight at 245 lbs. My LBS were recommending Velocity Fusions. They're all pretty serious riders but they're also alot smaller than I am so I decided to consult Velocity before making a decision. The folks at Velocity were really nice and felt the Fusions would be strong enough but recommended the Deep Vee with 36 spokes for added strength (If I didn't mind the extra weight). My feeling is that if I'm going to play the 'weight weenie' I should just eat a salad or two. I went with the Deep Vee and am very happy.

My friend is 280 LBS and went with the Mavic CXP33's with Surly hubs (32 hole) and so far so good. I don't think you could go wrong with either.

Jim

I felt there was no clear cut "best" rim
so i went with the Aeroheads 36 hole unmachined all blacks..lacing em to a set of Phil's...they'll be my road set.

you're going with black phils and black spokes too, right?

you're going with black phils and black spokes too, right?
naw I went with silver/silver...after agonising on that decision I felt there would be too much black on her for my tastes...though that would have looked hot...the black Phil's are sexy as hell...I'm slapping on a set of all black veloflex rubber too

what is all this talk of colored phill wood hubs. I have worked in a shop pretty much since 1997 and i have never seen such a thing. if anyone could link me to a picture i would apreciate it a lot.

what is all this talk of colored phill wood hubs. I have worked in a shop pretty much since 1997 and i have never seen such a thing. if anyone could link me to a picture i would apreciate it a lot.
ask and ye shall receive
http://www.ucycle.com/fixed/Phils.html

they make gold ones too, i swear to jeebus i've seen them!!

Bump.

Resurrected from the dead! :eek: Anyone have any other thoughts 5 years later?
Are Velocity AeroHeads better now than they used to be? Would anyone still pick Mavic OPs?

i'd go with open pro's myself.

anything under a 40mm profile is virtually meaningless aero wise. deep v's are just "tougher" and look good. open pro= plenty tough, lighter.

also, while weight isn't such a big deal on the track, a wheel with more mass on its rim creates more weight related resistance while in motion than an equivalent weighted wheel with more weight at its hub.

Bump.

Resurrected from the dead! :eek: Anyone have any other thoughts 5 years later?
Are Velocity AeroHeads better now than they used to be? Would anyone still pick Mavic OPs?

I've had both. The rims are pretty similar but OP's are noticeably slightly nicer. Open Pro was the first wheel I've built myself and it builds up fairly nice and is a real treat to true (not a whole lot of work goes into getting to back into true for me). Aeroheads are decent too, they ride nicely. As said above, Velocity has shoddy quality control so you're getting the luck of the draw with them. I think the OP's may be a little stiffer laterally but don't quote me on that. Overall I'd say who builds your wheels will make the most difference.