+1. [MENTION=184731]ColonelJLloyd[/MENTION], Interesting and informative posts. Not to mention some great pics. It's funny how you look at enough frames and you can sort of intuitively sense how a bike might handle. I look at some of your wheel builds and I just know they give a fantastic ride--plush yet not slow. I'm not in the market for new rims, but I'll consider your comments and comparisons if that changes.

(I still like cotton base tape, though. I guess it makes sense it would retain moisture, but how much water actually gets through the tire/sidewall gap, past the tube, and into the cloth base tape where it might lead to rust? Probably more water runs up the spoke due to centripetal force. If that's the case, wouldn't rubber base tape seal in the water into the eyelet versus a cloth tape acting as a wick to pull moisture out of the eyelet? I also haven't run across any instances where the rim tape inhibits a tire from mounting on the rim, but I tend to stick with box section rims (or tubulars) where that isn't as mush of an issue.)

I know it doesn't qualify as "available" but I really like Super Champion Mod 58 rims. They meet all your other requirements. Comparable weight, width and profile to the H Plus Son TB14. You can still find good deals on these if patient. I understand not trusting used rims, but personally, I don't rule out used rims across the board. Can make a lot of sense if the used rims don't have too much wear and are attached to wheels that are still true with even spoke tension. I find those rims, when evenly de-tensioned, can be rebuilt into sturdy wheels with different hub combinations. With random, un-built, used rims it's more of a crapshoot.