Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - mavic open pro ssc ceramic rims

* Shimano Dura Ace Hubs
* FH-7700
* Mavic Open Pro CD Rims
* 28 hole front and rear
* Alloy nipples in the front
* Brass nipples in the rear.
* Clincher
* 700c
* 1810 grams (Set)

What is the general consensus on these wheels? why (why not) ceramic? are 28 holes enough for everyday street use? (I'm 6'1" and ~170 lbs). Any honest input would be appreciated.. thanks!

I commute on regular open pro's. I weight ~ 190 and carry ~ 10 # in a backpack. Other than having to replace the drive side spokes due to shifting the chain into the spokes (my fault, not the wheel), they have been fine.

As I understand it, the ceramic is supposed to spread the heat from the brakes to avoid brake fade. Some think it is a gimmick, but it wont hurt.

Nice wheels, I'd ride 'em!

Run 28's on the wheels if you have the clearance for them.

Run 28's on the wheels if you have the clearance for them.

I think he was talking about 28 spokes, not 700x28 tires. Seems like the ceramic would be useful if you brake a lot during descents or if you ride in wet weather a lot.

I think he was talking about 28 spokes, not 700x28 tires. Seems like the ceramic would be useful if you brake a lot during descents or if you ride in wet weather a lot.

yeah, the ceramic is a lot rougher providing a much better (more powerful) braking surface, and it stays that way in wet conditions rather than gettins slick like regular rim brakes.

i took a look at them in the LBS but they were out of my price range but they seem like pretty sweet wheels.

As for 28 spokes. I'm still rocking the wheelset that came stock on my san jose. (front and back are 28 spoke)
I beat them really hard doing cross, and they're holding up perfectly fine on the street too.

I say go for the wheels :)

CD IS NOT CERAMIC.

CD is is Couche Dure, which is just a hard anodized finish. From Mavic...

"A chimical anodization process that forms a micro-hardness on the surface of the rim


_Slows down wear application by braking
_Improves the characteristics of the aluminum alloy application and the rim last longer
_Makes it easier to build and balance the wheel "

Ceramic is a bit more hardcore.

"
Ceramic 2


By using a plasma beam torch spreading titanium and aluminum oxide powders on the sidewalls of the rim we create a thermal shield that is 30 times harder than aluminum.


_Reduces braking distance by increasing the coefficient of friction between the rim and the brake pads (50% shorter in wet weather)
_Superior resistance to wear
_Reduces heat on rim
_Considered as an external wear indicator "

You can tell the ceramics by the fact the sidewall has a sort of fine sandpapery texture and a dark grey finish. You have to use special brakepads with them (Koolstop Green compound)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/2684959225_24d52d1bde.jpg

I love open pros and swear by them. but i dont need the special braking surfaces. because i tend to not run brakes

chimical? ha!

oh mavic!

Going on Bonechilling's tip, these Mavics do look pretty badass for emulating that classic track aesthetic of hard anodized box rims.

This build, for example, is straight bad ass: http://velospace.org/node/11868 in no small part due to the rims.

I'm assuming you're going to be riding single speed. If so, then that would be a really great pair of wheels to have because you can only rely on your brakes to slow you down as opposed to fixed. In the rain that will really be a valuable asset to have. Only way to know how they will hold up is to ride them but you should be fine on them

I have ceramics on my bike (even though I ride fixed). They are wonders in the rain and a really great investment. You only use ceramic pads. Now I need to get a long reach brake since I'm running fatties
http://http://www.flickr.com/photos/gyeswho/2754633906/sizes/l/in/set-72157604504885885/
http://http://www.flickr.com/photos/gyeswho/2753804935/sizes/l/in/photostream/