Rim Selection: Mavic or Velocity?
 

I'm in the process of upgrading my commuter/tourer/beater and need some advice on which rims to choose. The current rims are 32h Salsa Delgado X built around my hubs by the LBS. The front rim has developed a hugely annoying flat spot which I'm convinced was the result of a poor build because I've read good reviews of this rim. The spoke tension was fairly low (don't remember exactly how low) before the flat spot happened and I realized they needed to be tightened, and the spokes/nipples/eyelets made a whole bunch of noise when new.

Anyway, I'm leaning towards the Mavic A719 or the Velocity Dyad. Cost is my last concern, and quality and durability are my first concerns. I'd rather buy French (Mavic) or Aussie (Velocity) than Taiwanese (Salsa), but that's only if all else is equal. I only weigh 140 lbs (63.5 kg) or so, but I often carry a bunch of weight on my rear rack. This bike gets ridden hard, like off curbs and light off-road sometimes, but not abused. Rim brakes, 35c or so tires, and probably 36h rims.

I'd very much appreciate anyone's recommendations or comments. Thanks!

- have you tried rectifying the flat spot/ tension? IOW, if the spoke length, build is otherwise fine, perhaps a simple tuneup could make things right?

- should only take a minute or so to check out, then fix the rim and spoke tension?

Velocity Dyad

Who cares where a rim is manufacturered? In todays global business environment, you don't really know where things are made anyway.
Velocity makes a great rim. I've built up many wheels with them and they are great quality. That said, if money is not an issue, I'd go with Mavic. Mavic rims are always perfectly straight. They built up easier than any rim I've every worked with.

After the flat spot happened, I decided to read up and educate myself on wheel theory and wheel building, since I figured I couldn't trust the shop any more (plus it was getting too expensive). I'm no expert now or anything, but I've tried to get the flat spot out as best I could. I loosened the spokes at the flat spot somewhat to not pull that section of the rim as much towards the hub, but I didn't want to loosen them too much for fear of making it worse while riding. It helped a little but it's still very pronounced. It would require the spokes to be basically slack for the rim to be nearly round. From what I understand, the rim might be able to be saved if it were taken out of the wheel and then worked back into shape and built back up again, but I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I don't think I'd be able to get it to a state of roundness that would satisfy me.

Yeah, I mean it's not my main deciding factor or anything, but if all else were equal I'd rather purchase a product that I can have some assurance was made by people earning a decent wage.

Good to get a response from someone with "wheelbuilder" in their name! :)

I would go with Velocity just for the warranty, if you ever have any problems with it, which you probably wont, they will take good care of you.

Just had wheels built with Mavic A719s on Shimano XT hubs with Continental 700x35 Travel Contact tires......EXCELLENT!!!

Ha! I'm going with XTs also! Good to hear.