TGB, For the selfish question I have had good luck with the older Weinmann rims.

On to the second question. There are a ton of lower level road bike components whose only sin are that they weigh more than their upper level component cousins. I built my son's Olmo with a Suntour Blaze drivetrain that with a little polishing looks rather good, IMHO. A set of RSX DP calipers greatly improve stopping. My current project is using RX100 parts mixed with a 105 crankset and brake levers.

My touring bike is using an Alivio FD and hubs and a STX RD along with a CODA branded Sugino crankset. This was a bike I felt I'd really be upgrading, but after almost three years, I don't have a good reason to do so.

My mountain bike is a true mutt of Shimano components, from brand new, with the low end parts as durable as the upper end parts. It ranges from STX to XT level.

Brad

PS Auchen, I really liked my Avocet Touring II, but my older daughter liked it also and it's on her CX bike.