Bicycle Mechanics - Campagnolo Vento Replacement Rim?

Hello there, I am new here, although I have been lurking around on this forum without an account for awhile.

I have a Campagnolo Vento G3 front wheel. There's a crack in the rim and I was wondering if there is any chance I can re-use this old hub. The Campagnolo Vento G3's front is a 24H, 700c wheelset. I've been searching high and low for a replacement rim strip from Campag. Whether it is eBay or any other webstore, I could not find anything even close to it. Then I came across other 24H rims from other manufacturer. Will this be compatible with my Campy Vento G3 hub? Is there any possibilities I can lace these hubs to any other rims? It will be great if I can still lace it with the G3 pattern.

I came across this http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-604372.html . But this guy has the rear hubs while I have the front one.

Also any suggestion on what rims would be ideal to do this? Or any 24H will do the trick?

Thank you. Have a nice day.

Replacement rim strip? That's gotta be a typo. No need to have a Campy rim strip unless you are fanatic about brand loyalty.

Assuming it's one of those:http://www.racycles.com/product.aspx?catid=9,28,233&pid=885

If the hub flanges are the regular type, then you can use any 24H rim. You'll probably have to get new spokes and you'll lose the pattern. Can't really see the point of triplet lacing for a front hub though. For a rear, it makes excellent sense, and gives a nice NDS spoke tension.

Maintaining the G3 pattern w/o a G3 rim is difficult. If you find a rim that's drilled w/o spoke offset(some NoTubes are), then you can build on a 32H using 3 out of 4 holes. Or you can use a 40H rim, using 3 out of 5 holes in the rim. That'll maintain spoke offset sequence and get you a bit closer to the Vento pattern.
Unless you're really lucky, you're probably looking at new spokes here too.

Although financially usually unsound, you may be able to get a new rim through a Campag authorized dealer. Mavic rims are available that way, although usually at a high cost.

Thanks dabac for the quick response.

Ohyeah, I meant rim and not rim strip. Sorry about that. Yeah the G3 spoke pattern is not that important actually. Most importantly is if I can reuse this hub into another rim? The Vento hub however has the G3 pattern. 8 groups, each group consisting 3 spokes. In this case, will I be able to lace them up to a regular 24H rim, probably a Velocity Aerohead or something. I believe I will need about 2 or 3 different spoke length for this setup, correct me if I am wrong. Is this advisable? Or should I avoid this? If it matters, I am quite a lightweight person, about 120pounds.

If the spoke hole pattern at the hub is symmetrical,(online pics aren't clear/big enough), and if you intend to do a radial lace, then one spoke length should suffice. If spoke hole pattern at hub is grouped, then you may need/want different spoke lengths.
At magnification, it looks like the outermost spokes of two groups are closer together than the spokes within the group.
I really can't advise. I've done a few radial fronts with unmatched spoke counts rim/hub by leaving empty holes in the hub, and for those one spoke length have been sufficient. But I've never skipped more than one hole at a time, and I don't know how the offset of that would compare to your offset.
Unless you're dead set on ordering rim and spokes at the same time, get the rim first, then measure. Tape new rim next to old, measure the differences in length for where the spokes would be going. with a bit of thought, this can even tell you which lengths to order.

Whether or not to do it is a so-so issue. There would be a slight change in spoke alignment, which is generally frowned upon. I've had no issues with worse, so I'd charge right ahead. YMMV though.
There's a bit of work/risk regarding figuring out which spoke lengths to use. If you're looking to use "boutique" spokes, either be certain about having the lengths figured out, or be ready to accept the money spent in vain on wrong spoke lengths.
Nice rim + nice spokes may take you well towards an new wheel, with no hassles and no inherent risks.

OP please take a picture of your front hub/wheel.

try a Fulcrum rim.

i would but a new front wheel and keep the hub and spokes as spares.

http://www.amazon.com/Campagnolo-Vento-Reaction-Front-Wheel/dp/B004JKK5YI

Probably the best bet is to get a new front wheel or find another used vento front wheel. At least u will have spokes and a replacement hub for parts just in case.

Those rims are specially made with those holes, nothing in the common market will be even close to that. There are campagnolo rims in the market the issue is that arent for vento's.

Good luck.

i would but a new front wheel and keep the hub and spokes as spares.

http://www.amazon.com/Campagnolo-Vento-Reaction-Front-Wheel/dp/B004JKK5YI

+1

Or just put the darn things on ebay. I can't stand proprietary stuff like that, that's only different for the sake of being different.

+1

Or just put the darn things on ebay. I can't stand proprietary stuff like that, that's only different for the sake of being different.

Yea. Looks like this was exactly what I did after all. I was digging high and low for information and I came to a conclusion that I should just save that hassle and get a new wheel set. Thanks guys.

Now I am wondering will anyone buy the spokes and hubs as a replacement. Gonna try my luck and put these off on ebay.

Velocity has been known to do custom drillings (I've even seen penny-farthings wearing AeroHeads!) - I'd give them a call and see if you can score a rim with the G3 drilling for a few bucks extra.