VO RAID vs Velocity Synergy
07-21-14, 10:07 PM
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VO RAID vs Velocity Synergy
I'm about to have my LBS build me a new set of wheels for a 1989 Bridgestone RB-1 that I recently acquired. I've got a pair of Suntour Superbe Pro 32H road hubs, and was discussing rim options at the LBS today. I'd like something that looks reasonably era appropriate (e.g. silver &/or polished, boxy profile) and which can take a 25 - 28mm tire (probably Pacela TGs). I'd buy a set of Mavic MA-2s if they were still made today, but am not going to screw around with NOS rims. I'm planning to ride this bike for conditioning/training purposes; no racing or touring.
I'm currently debating between the VO Raid and the Velocity Synergy. Any recent opinions on either of these? I've found lots of BF reports on the VO PBP, but not much on the RAID. Will I have problems running 25mm tires on either of these rims (which are ~22-23mm OD)?
Any others I should be looking at? I'm aware of the Sun, but my LBS guy is not thrilled about the made in China aspect, and I'm inclined to agree.
Thanks for the collective wisdom!
I'm currently debating between the VO Raid and the Velocity Synergy. Any recent opinions on either of these? I've found lots of BF reports on the VO PBP, but not much on the RAID. Will I have problems running 25mm tires on either of these rims (which are ~22-23mm OD)?
Any others I should be looking at? I'm aware of the Sun, but my LBS guy is not thrilled about the made in China aspect, and I'm inclined to agree.
Thanks for the collective wisdom!
07-21-14, 11:03 PM
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07-21-14, 11:05 PM
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I have laced up a set of the VO PBP, which are thinner than the Velocity Synergy (I have no experience with the Synergy). I also was looking for a box section rim, and the PBP fit the order. It laced up easily (to some low flange Record hubs) and stayed true after lots of riding. The synergy is 23mm wide and the sidewall is 11mm. The primary difference between the PBP and RAID is width; 19mm (PBP) wide and the RAID is 22mm. You say you want to run 25mm tries which is on the bottom edge of the Synergy/RAID, but right in the middle of the PBP (up to 32mm). The one thing I didn't like about the PBP was the size of the sidewall (12mm), which looks quite tall. While the RAID sidewall isn't given, it looks to be narrower.
07-22-14, 06:43 AM
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Thanks onespeed. That PBP sidewall measurement puts things in context. I've emailed VO to get the sidewall height for the RAID.
Those PL23s are pretty, but also really pricey.
Those PL23s are pretty, but also really pricey.
07-22-14, 06:54 AM
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The Sun CR 18 rim fits your criteria. It's 22.5 mm wide, has eyelets and a retro boxy shape.
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07-22-14, 07:01 AM
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The t + son tb 14 are wide at 23 mm and very retro looking:
TB14 | H PLUS SON
They'd look pretty cool on a RB-1.
TB14 | H PLUS SON
They'd look pretty cool on a RB-1.
07-22-14, 09:17 AM
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I have H Plus Son TB 14 custom built rims laced to Velo Orange High Flange Grand Cru hubs on my Motobecane. Very lively. Gorgeous.
07-22-14, 10:10 AM
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FWIW, I heard back from VO with exact dimensions:
PBP: Outside height 17mm, inside height 9mm
RAID: Outside height 18mm, inside height 9mm
So the RAID is slightly taller, but the extra width (22mm vs 19mm) gives it a slightly more rectangular shape over the PBP.
Looking a bit closer at the PL23, I see it has a weight limit of 185. I'm under that (~170ish), but close enough that my engineer sense regarding design margins clicks on.
All of these rims are wider than I'm used to on road tires. Will I have difficulty mounting 25mm tires (probably the Panaracers) on a 22 or 23mm OD rim?
07-22-14, 10:49 AM
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07-23-14, 09:52 AM
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I've been looking at the A23. Can you expand on your comment? Do you mean that I'll be forever turned towards more "aerodynamic" rims? Or I'll proceed to chuck all of my tubes in the trash?
FWIW, I heard back from VO with exact dimensions:
PBP: Outside height 17mm, inside height 9mm
RAID: Outside height 18mm, inside height 9mm
So the RAID is slightly taller, but the extra width (22mm vs 19mm) gives it a slightly more rectangular shape over the PBP.
Looking a bit closer at the PL23, I see it has a weight limit of 185. I'm under that (~170ish), but close enough that my engineer sense regarding design margins clicks on.
All of these rims are wider than I'm used to on road tires. Will I have difficulty mounting 25mm tires (probably the Panaracers) on a 22 or 23mm OD rim?
FWIW, I heard back from VO with exact dimensions:
PBP: Outside height 17mm, inside height 9mm
RAID: Outside height 18mm, inside height 9mm
So the RAID is slightly taller, but the extra width (22mm vs 19mm) gives it a slightly more rectangular shape over the PBP.
Looking a bit closer at the PL23, I see it has a weight limit of 185. I'm under that (~170ish), but close enough that my engineer sense regarding design margins clicks on.
All of these rims are wider than I'm used to on road tires. Will I have difficulty mounting 25mm tires (probably the Panaracers) on a 22 or 23mm OD rim?
2008 Colnago Master X-Light | The Utah Randonneur
I have the VO Raid rim on a Rawland Nordavinden with 32c Paselas. That set up is very rugged and looks great but feels more sluggish but if you aren't sprinting a lot it matters little.
2013 Rawland Nordavinden | The Utah Randonneur
Both rims look great and ride well. The A23's are probably a bit lighter.
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