Bicycle Mechanics - Good Rim Alternative to Mavic Open Pro

I'm building a new wheelset on some ultegra hubs I picked up. I'm looking at Mavic Open Pro - just because I seem to see this one written about everywhere. I've only built one previous wheelset, so I'm not planning anything special or very unique. Nonetheless, these will by my wheels so I'd like to put something together a little less ubiquitous than the ultegra/open-pro combo- but I know very little about rim manufacturers and their models. Any suggestions/recommendations for comparable (in quality and specs) rims from other manufacturers?

Personally I prefer Mavic's CXP-33...seems a tad sturdier...tad heavier of course. Go double-butted if you can.

I just find the Open Pro and DT's R 1.1's to be "soft". Not being very objective when I say this but it seems to me that the Open Pro and 1.1 work very well with DT 14/17/14s.

=8-)

Velocity Aerohead or Aerohead O/C. 425g/418g. They build up nice. Most important thing, other things being similar, is how deep is the center, meaning how easy do tires go on and off. Open Pros are great, Aeroheads are OK, the old Mavic MA2 were bad. Ask.

Velocity Aerohead or Aerohead O/C.

+1

I'm not a fan of OP's. I've built 2 sets using the above rims and Ultegra hubs. They came out great.

Would agree on CXP33 (if you're willing to have a slightly heavier rim) or Velocity Aerohead. I've also had fine experiences building up Open Pros, but understand your wanting to stay away from ubiquity.

Another option, if you want a cheaper rim, is Sun M13II. Double-wall, similar profile to Mavic MA-2 (but single-eyeletted, so they're a bit heavier). Good-looking basic rim, quality control isn't as good as more expensive rims but I've never had a problem building them up and riding them.
I have them on my rebuilt Centurion Comp TA (http://www.unc.edu/~cupery/pics/bikes/Centurion_Comp_TA_repainted/) if you want to see what they look like.

And if you want something lighter than an Open Pro, IRD Cadence. I have a set on my road-racing bike and they're holding up very well... moved my Open Pro/Ultegra wheels over to my road-commuter/training/rain bike. The ugly stickers are easily removed, leaving you with something that resembles an Open Pro with a slightly smaller overall profile.

Ambrosio Excellence/Torelli Triumph

I think the Open Pros are an excellent choice and mate up well with Ulegra hubs. I like rims with eyelets because they distribute stress over a larger area. I prefer RR 1.1's but they are more expensive.

Al

I built up a couple with Open Sports and they seem fine. One of them is a 36 spoke that started out under a 220 pounder. He has lost down to 175. They have a little more al. so they should be a little stronger.
I use double butted 15 guage DTspokes.

+1 on the Open Sports.

They're cheap, sturdy, easy to build with, and give a confortable ride.

The downside? They're a little heavier than Open Pros or CXP33s (490 vs 435 and 470g, respectively). They are also single eyeleted medium height box section rims, so don't go crazy on the spoke tension.

How about asking the OP what exactly he plans on doing with this wheelset before recommending something random?

Commuting? Racing? Optimizing for lightness? Durability? Aerodynamics? Size of tyres he's planning on running? Open pros are one of the most overrated rims on the internet. Box section, not particularly cheap and not particularly light either. What the heck?

Oh no operator...

We demand and push...never ask. Cause we can never be wrong!


:D

My first thought would also be the CXP33, but would be good to know what the use would be...but figuring Ultegra hubs and the consideration of Open Pros, seems a reasonable suggestion...

For general use I'm also a fan of the CXP-33 rims. I've had excellent service and durability from them built on both older (7700) Dura Ace and '06 vintage Campy Chorus hubs with either Wheelsmith XL14 or DT 2.0/1.8/2.0 spokes.

Operator makes a good point about asking your intended use but you were considering Ultegra hubs with Open Pro rims. That says non-exotic service to me and, given that, I think the CXP-33 rims will work even better than Open Pros and are a bit less common.

In newer Mavic road rims, I've got a lugged steel Pinarello with Open Pros (32h front and rear laced to Campy Centaur hubs), and an '09 Jamis Aurora Elite with CXP-33's (36h rear, 32h front laced to Ultegra hubs). I built both wheelsets; I used the Open Pros for their light weight and traditional look, I wanted the CXP-33's for a little sturdier, stiffer rim. I use the Aurora Elite as a sort of day tourer/all-road bike (came stock with 32h CXP-22 rims laced to Tiagra hubs, makes a nice backup wheelset). Both the Open Pros and CXP-33's have been great, but I've also got a set of '09 Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels I've been using on the Pinarello. They're about a pound lighter (seriously) than the Open Pro/Centaur wheels and have been bombproof so far. I'm pretty old school, but I gotta admit these newer "factory" wheelsets are damn nice. Hey, my Ksyrium Elites are still all silver.:D

I don't know why you need to avoid the Open Pro's just to be different. I built up mine and my wife's wheels with Open Pros and Shimano hubs, and since then have not noticed anyone else that I've ridden with have anything similar - they all have stock wheelsets. Therefore, my home-built Open Pro's are the distinctive ones in the bunch. You can make them even more personal by using a fancy color of anodized nipples (my wife's are blue to match her bike, with the rest of the wheels being silver, which she likes a lot).

[Apologies to my wife for talking about her blue nipples on the internet.]

I'll be putting these on my Lemond Zurich for training, I suppose. I don't race, but I like to go out and get a good workout a few times a week when the weather is decent. These won't be used for commuting; I have another bike for that. I also run 25s - just get a smoother ride out of them than the 23s I had before. These will be used in Milwaukee, which doesn't have the best roads. I also weigh 180... so, I'm a "heavy" cyclist, albeit a light Sconie.

From what people are saying, it sounds like I should keep the Open Pros in the running, but also look at the CXP33 and the Velocity Aerohead. I like the price of the Aerohead - but looks like it is a bit of a weaker rim. But given that I'm locked into 32 spokes in both the front and the back, I'd guess I could do 3x in the back, maybe 2x in the front, and it'd be more than good enough. I was reading up on the Velocity Fusion - just looks a bit more rugged.

Velocity Aerohead or Aerohead O/C. 425g/418g. They build up nice. Most important thing, other things being similar, is how deep is the center, meaning how easy do tires go on and off. Open Pros are great, Aeroheads are OK, the old Mavic MA2 were bad. Ask.

If you ask me, MA2 were very good.

my sense is that the Mavic MA2 has/had a very good reputation. Basic double-wall, double-eyeletted rim, pinned construction, reasonably good quality control. Not that this thread is about them - they're pretty expensive if you can find them NOS nowadays, along with the MA40 (hard-anodized version).

After hearing exactly what the OP is looking for, he'll probably do fine with any of the rims mentioned. Open Pros or Aeroheads or DT's are lighter than the CXP33's, but the CXP33's are most durable. Velocity Fusion may be comparable to the CXP33, but hasn't been around as long and I don't think it's eyeletted. (Although lack of eyelets hasn't hurt Velocity's reputation in terms of durability.)

At your weight and with your usage, you'll probably be fine with any of the "less durable" lighter-weight rims, provided it's a quality wheelbuild, double-butted spokes, all that.