So I noticed a cracked rim last week and went to the LBS to have the wheel rebuilt w/ a new rim.

The shop had few rims in stock, so I was stuck w/ calling around town to find a good, bombproof touring, commuting, or tandem rim.

I'm a big fella (260 lbs) and I carry a hefty pannier to work. The return leg of my commute is in the dark (9pm) so I don't always miss the potholes in the dark. Needless to say I'm looking for something stout.

Anyway, my project was to find the strongest 36 hole rim in stock somewhere in town, 36 holes because I don't want to buy a new hub as well. I'm buying a new tire and the budget is strained. I ended up finding my rim of choice (a Mavic T520), but I'm curious as to what y'all use, or what y'all would buy if you had to replace a rim today. What works? What doesn't?