Originally Posted by
equipe
I'm also thinking of stock HED Kermesse wheels?
Any opinions on their quality?
The configuration of the Kermesse wheels 24/28 with the C2 rim looks like a good fit. I don't know about their hubs, but the rim should be pretty good. Some people report premature cracking around the spoke holes with those rims, but their warranty service is pretty good. The use of CX-Ray spokes will make the wheel a little flexier than with thicker spokes but will keep the weight down, so you have to weigh the pros and cons of that.
23mm rims feel different than standard 19mm wide rims when using the same tires. You will feel more stable on turns, and I think that would benefit you during a criterium or a fast downhill with turns. There are different opinions on tire pressure using those types of rims. I believe that you can treat your 23mm tire as a 25mm tire when selecting the pressure since there will be more tire contact area with the ground than with a narrower rim even though the volume of air in the tire is the same. That will also make the ride a little more comfortable.
Another option is the Velocity A23 rims. I am using them, and they are really good. There really is a difference in ride quality with wider rims. One advantage of using Velocity rims on a set vs stock HED wheels is that you will have more options on number of spokes. For example, you can go 24/32 or 28/32 if you want. Even though the 23mm rims are wide, they have a low profile and are not as stiff as deeper rims.