Originally Posted by
brianinc-ville
EDIT: Never mind, I just read your query again -- the ones I've got are plain aluminum, so I can't help you. Good luck, though.
They're hard to find in the U.S.; easier in other countries. A couple of years ago, a particularly awesome C&V forum member brought me a pair from Colombia for my Raleigh DL-1 -- I haven't gotten around to building them up, but I remain grateful. I think I still want to use them, but if you get desperate, PM me.
Out of curiosity, what brand/make are yours? The only ones I know of are made by Rigida, which I think is the same as Van Schothorst (sp?). I'm not sure really if they are made in Asia or in the Netherlands (I suspect the former).
Edit: I now see that they are a different brand than Rigida. The "special section" you are referring to are known as "Westrick" (a blend between Westwood and Endrick). You are correct, they allow for caliper brakes. However, I think I'll stick with rod brakes for my DL-1...for one, they aren't drilled for caliper brakes. The other option, of course, is to go with a rear coaster brake...But I really want to just go with a regular freewheeling, 1-speed rear hub to save weight and increase simplicity. (A rear SA 3-spd hub would be tempting, but I'm kind of leaning towards 1-speed at this point).
So is the consensus to go with plain aluminum over the painted black? I love the black, but I also don't know how quickly the rod brake pads will wear down the paint. In the past, English cycles were sold with black rims and rod brakes fairly frequently. Note sure, though, if the enamel they used was baked on really well vs modern powder-coating techniques. As an example, take a look at these lovely Sunbeams from the early 1900s:
I've been lusting after a Sunbeam ever since I (foolishly) sold my 1931 Royal Sunbeam. That all-black "Vader" look is kind of sexy, I think, if you ask me.