Bicycle Mechanics - Mavic CXP-12

I saw this auction on ebay, and I was curious, are Mavic CXP-12's a decent rim? Mostly for training/touring type riding(strong). I know the 12 must be on old rim, but a NOS set, would they be pretty reliable.

Here is the auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=56197&item=3691355771&rd=1

I'm only curious because I have an early 80's Cannondale with a 6 speed hub in the back, and don't have the money currently to change my components to something new with an 8/9 speed. I ended up having a new wheel built for my by one of the LBS. They cleaned up my hub and put on new spokes and an Alexrims DR13 rim. I'm gonna be replacing my front wheel with something off ebay. These old Rigida rims are toast, always go out of true after a ride, and they are beat.

I saw this auction on ebay, and I was curious, are Mavic CXP-12's a decent rim? Mostly for training/touring type riding(strong). I know the 12 must be on old rim, but a NOS set, would they be pretty reliable.

Here is the auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=56197&item=3691355771&rd=1

I'm only curious because I have an early 80's Cannondale with a 6 speed hub in the back, and don't have the money currently to change my components to something new with an 8/9 speed. I ended up having a new wheel built for my by one of the LBS. They cleaned up my hub and put on new spokes and an Alexrims DR13 rim. I'm gonna be replacing my front wheel with something off ebay. These old Rigida rims are toast, always go out of true after a ride, and they are beat.

Nothing wrong with these wheels if they're what the buyer says they are. One thing you cannot tell from a picture is the overall build quality of the wheel (spoke tension, trueness). With a combination of a semi-deep profile rimmed large flange hubbed wheel and your aluminum frame, the result will be a rather stiff ride however. Other considerations would be your weight. If you weigh more than 175, a different set-up might be better. If over 175, the overall durability of these wheels will be dependent on your riding style. If you're generally hard on equipment, it would tip the scale in favor of something else. Also, from your post, it sounds like you have a 6-speed screw-on freewheel which would work with these....

Nothing wrong with these wheels if they're what the buyer says they are. One thing you cannot tell from a picture is the overall build quality of the wheel (spoke tension, trueness). With a combination of a semi-deep profile rimmed large flange hubbed wheel and your aluminum frame, the result will be a rather stiff ride however. Other considerations would be your weight. If you weigh more than 175, a different set-up might be better. If over 175, the overall durability of these wheels will be dependent on your riding style. If you're generally hard on equipment, it would tip the scale in favor of something else. Also, from your post, it sounds like you have a 6-speed screw-on freewheel which would work with these....

Well I ride all over the outskirts of town, and this whole area has horrible(rough) roads. So I need something durable, maybe I am hard on my equipment? I weigh 165 lbs, so I'm not sure if that helps( a little lighter than 175). Yes I do have a 6 speed screw on flywheel.

Oh ya, this bike is just as stiff/harsh as everyone talks about. When I get the money to buy a new bike, I think im going with something steel(Bianchi maybe...I was looking at a new EROS at one of the LBS's). This thick aluminum is really rough. I swear it sounds like the bike is going to clunk itself to death riding on rough roads. The sounds it makes are not friendly!

Well I ride all over the outskirts of town, and this whole area has horrible(rough) roads. So I need something durable, maybe I am hard on my equipment? I weigh 165 lbs, so I'm not sure if that helps( a little lighter than 175). Yes I do have a 6 speed screw on flywheel.

Oh ya, this bike is just as stiff/harsh as everyone talks about. When I get the money to buy a new bike, I think im going with something steel(Bianchi maybe...I was looking at a new EROS at one of the LBS's). This thick aluminum is really rough. I swear it sounds like the bike is going to clunk itself to death riding on rough roads. The sounds it makes are not friendly!

At 165 you're not heavy...hell, in the official Tour de France profile of Lance Armstrong, he's listed at 165 (75 kg.) If you decide to get these wheels, one way of getting a smoother ride would be to put a wider tire on the rim, like 700 x 25 instead of 700 x 23. If you think, however that you might be getting another bike soon enough, you might hold off sinking more $$ into the Cannondale. When you test ride some of the new bikes, take 'em over some of the rough pavement to see if there's a significant difference between what you're riding and what you're thinking of buying.

well im already running 700x25c.... should i go to a 700x28?? I'm not sure if the bike can clear it. if the tire is another 5mm taller it might hit both front and rear.

well im already running 700x25c.... should i go to a 700x28?? I'm not sure if the bike can clear it. if the tire is another 5mm taller it might hit both front and rear.

Yeah, clearance is a concern...the reason I didn't mention 700 X 28 is because a lot of aluminum bikes and modern bikes in general may have clearance problems...

ya actually there is only about 3mm of space above the front tire, so I dont think it would clear, but the rear has about 5mm of clearance above. maybe i could go to a 700x28c in the rear only. considering more weight is on the back anyway, that might not be that bad of an idea.....though if it didnt fit, that would be a pain in the a$$