Banzai

I have some nice Ultegra hubs, 18f, 24r, that I found NOS on e-bay. Obviously these hubs need to be built into wheels.

There aren't many rims available with those drillings, but the Velocity Aerohead is one. I've built Aerohead wheels in 28f/32r and they've been bombproof...do you think that the Aerohead rim is strong enough for an 18f/24r build?

Please don't suggest Deep V's. I don't want a silly deep and heavy alloy wheel. The weight of a Deep V will overcome the weight of the spoke differential as well.

I weigh 144lbs.

mrrabbit 

1. Aeroheads are bombproof?

2. Lighter guage double butted spokes would be nice, say 2.0/1.7/2.0 Richey Logic or DTs...

=8-)

canam73

Ultegra hubs at 18/24? Could you post a pic or link to the auction?

That almost sounds like something out of one of their pre-built wheelsets, although they tend to be 16/20.

The Kinlin XR-300 is available in 18 & 24 and is a chunk lighter than Deep Vs:

https://www.bikehubstore.com/Kinlin-X...im-p/xr300.htm

Banzai

1. At 28/32, they build into "bombproof" wheels. Most lightweight rims do with a good build. However, given the greater tension at the spoke holes for the lower spoke count build, I'm wondering if they can hack the low-count build. Since Velocity offers them in those drillings, it would seem to imply that they'll be fine, but...
2. I'm going to use DT Aerolites on the front and the rear NDS, and Comps on the DS.

mrrabbit 

Aeroheads, Open Pros, DT RR 415s, and so on are lightweight racing clinchers.

Light weight, efficient, high-performance...sure....but bombproof?

Velocity provides 110-130 kgf as the tension ranges their rims are built with. Depends upon model and drilling...

So you would probably be building the front in the 107-110 range (symmetrical low count wheel) and the rear drive side into the 115-124 range using lighter double butted spokes. I wouldn't be surprised if others suggest the use of Wheelsmith spoke prep as a precautionary measure.

Getting some aero nipple washers to fit in there would be nice too - spread the load a little. The holes will start to show stress marks on the sides as you approach 110 kgf with these rims.

=8-)

Kimmo

I wouldn't call these rims bombproof; the sidewalls are a little light to handle use on the rear for my riding, and I'm only 65kg. I've bent those more than once without pinch-flatting.

Great front rim though. +1 mrrabit's washer suggestion, at 18h...

Banzai

These were older hubs, 6500 series, from back when Shimano had more drillings like that available in their Ultegra and DA lineups. Front spoke holes are slotted for older-school aero spokes.

I've built Kinlins before, and I wasn't wowed. They get a lot of the weight savings from the fact that they are very narrow, and the rear wheel I built had an irritating brake track hop that never went away.

At 20mm wide, aeroheads seem to work better for me.

Banzai

I'm only about 65kg, but a rear wheel built 32 spoke on even the lightest weight rim has typically proven to be "bombproof" under my weight. As spokes drop I start to concern myself more with rim strength.

canam73

Well, you already seem decided then. Good luck.

Banzai

No, I'm not decided. I'm wondering if - at my weight - an aerohead can withstand 18f/24r, or if I need a slightly stouter rim. Next option would probably be the HED Belgium C2. It's a pity that CXP33s don't come in more drillings.

Ex Pres 

I built a set of 18/24 (might be a 28?) areoheads for my single speed on a microlight58 front / old AC freewheel hub. I've been riding this bike (as one of my fleet of mostly C&V) for 4 years now. I did give up on the alloy nipples for the rear (broke a couple), but other than that I only try not to hit too many potholes, don't ride off curbs, etc.


Oh, I weigh 205#, and the 18 front is radial laced.

Kimmo

Having built a 24h radial front Aerohead years ago, I'd say you're pushing it a bit. I'd be surprised if that rim can withstand the tension necessary for a solid 18h wheel, and I'm surprised Velocity offer it in that drilling.

If you look at rim weights for low spoke count wheels, I don't think you'll find any aluminium ones as light as the Aerohead's ~400g. But hey, I guess if it doesn't work, you can try taking them to task for offering the rim in a useless drilling.

canam73

Alright. Personally, even at your weight I would look for a beefier rim. As Kimmo said most low spoke systems require it. The rim on Mavic and Shimano 16/20h factory wheels are very stout considering their depth. C2's are very nice. I just built a PT with one and I couldn't be happier.

Tunnelrat81

Another loud +1 to the HED C2 idea, but you won't find them in the front drilling that you need. They are only offered in 24, 28, 32 AFAIK. I built a set of 24/28 wheels last year and I've been extremely happy with them.

-Jeremy

Kimmo

Are you prepared to bet the price of an Aerohead (plus spokes, if you can't replace it with a similar ERD) that it'll work? Cause I'd be interested to see. Just build the front to start.

It's been a long time since I ran em; if they're up to this then Ima get me a set pronto.

zacster

I built a 24h rear wheel on an aerohead OC and an Easton/Velomax hub. It has held up very nicely over 3 years, and I'm not so light weight anymore. The wheel is a rebuild of an Easton Ascent. The front wheel to the set is an Easton Orion, the slightly stouter version of the Ascent. Ascent was 18/24, the Orion 24/28, but otherwise the same, so my pair is 24/24.

Kimmo

Alright, sold.

Bummer they don't come with a 'Made in Oz' sticker anymore

It's your ruthless bosses driving down American wages, dammit

canam73

No, if it were me I would sell the hubs and get a 24/28 set.

But if I had to build with them I would probably use a Kinlin XR300 as the 4 sets of Kinlin rimmed wheels I've built are all doing fine. The worst brake pulse I've ever had was with a Velocity A23.

I like Ultegra hubs, but they are not a good starting point for building light weight wheels.