Originally Posted by
79pmooney
There are rims without reinforcing around the nipple holes that will crack without the washers, guaranteed, especially some older rims fro the '70s. Mavic Open Sports are probably marginal. I build them from myself without but I am 150 pounds and generally kind to wheels. Velocity Aeros have lots of material there and can go no washer without issue.
Ben
I replaced the Open Pro with an Open Sport and haven't had problems. I have built wheels for some friends with the Sport and they have held up. One rider was about 250 lbs.