Aeroplane

Here's the deal: I've got two wheelsets. One is a fixed-gear wheelset with Salsa Delgado CX rims, and one is 105 hubs to Campy Omega clinchers. Since the bike I plan on riding cross with is geared, it's got the non-cross rims on it. This feels kind of like a stupid situation to be in.

Will it be worth my time to swap the rims between these two wheelsets? Or will the Ofmegas (which are 3-4mm narrower) hold up under cross usage? I've never ridden cross before so I'm not sure how much of a beating I will give my wheels... I am an experienced mountain biker though, if that makes any difference.

I've built wheels before, but I've never completely broken down a wheelset and reused the spokes again. I am aware that it would take a lot of work (about a weeks worth of after-work hours, I'm guessing), and I might have to get new spokes (which would suck, 4 wheels worth of spokes adds up quick).

DDYTDY

I'm not sure about the suitability of the Ofmegas for cross. I'm not familiar with them.

Use spoke calc to figure out if the ERD (effective rim diameter) If the wheels are in good shape without a a million miles on them I'd use reuse the spokes.

If its a mach you can disasmbe on set, then tape one rim to the other with the stem holes lined up and transfer spoke from one rim to the other.

Make sure to slack the spokes first....

The drilling needs to be the same as well to do this. Err? The spoke hole to the left of the stem is ether higher or lower then the stem hole.

isotopesope

i would just run the 105/ofmega combo.

acorn_user

Are the rims Campagnolo Omega? If they are Omega Strada (hardox?) or Pave, I would expect them to be just fine. I would be concerned if they were the Crono model, since those were lighter. They are similar to the Ambrosio Nemesis and Montreal and other older clincher rims, and people seen keen on the Nemesis.

Ofmega was another Italian components producer. So far as I aware, they did not make rims. Could be wrong. Also, there is not really such a thing as a cross rim. I guess the Delgado and DRC St17 are as close as it gets.

Aeroplane

I just checked and you are right, they are Omega 19's, not Ofmega. There is nothing about them being "Crono", but they are definitely not hardox or anything, they look polished to me. I will give them a try when I finish building this bike up.

acorn_user

The hardox finish is a sort of dark grey colour. There was an Omega aero too with an teardrop profile (I actually have one of those). Anyway, if it does not say Crono, I would say Banzai!