I've become a Sun Rim lover over the last year or so. They build up easy and IME stay true even if you beat on em.

My most recent wheel builds have been with Sun CR-18, Sun Rhyno Lite, Mavic Open 4 CD, and Vintage Weinmann Rims. I dunno if it was me or the Rims but it seemed like The Sun rims were easier to keep Vertically true while building, and the Weinmann Rims were just hell to work with...like trying to tension a noodle.

I really like the look of the Sun M13II, but 13mm inside rim width doesn't let you safely run anything more than like a 28mm tire.

Harris claims up to 32mm.
https://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=2564

fair, enough... I was going by whats generally recommended according to (oddly Enough) Sheldon Brown.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire_sizing.html



Also I'm not clear on what it is that makes the Velocity Twin Hollow rim at all desirable. I've seen plenty of people mention it favorably, but from what I can tell its bested by a lot of other rim choices in several categories; Its not really double wall construction, No Eyelets, and I can't seem to find it for sale for anything under 45 bux a rim. Any of the Sun rims mentioned above can be had for a good deal less...Heck you can get a Mavic MA-2 or any of the Velo-Orange Rims for around that much $$.

For my money, it was going to be either the CR-18 or the VO rims. I ended up buying the VO product but would not feel held back in any way with the CR-18.

I've used Velocity Razors with great results. Nice boxed eyelet road rims.
https://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=589

I see lickbike.com sells the Mavic Open Sport for $40. The CR 18 is $30, right? I'd say the Mavic is a good value. I mean, hey, it's a Mavic.

I have CR18 on the first set of rims I built myself and a set I bought. I am really happy with them for the price. The set I built I got off ebay buy it now for $40 for the pair and $16 shipping and handling. Rim on a modern touring bike I am fully happy with them.

I read somewhere that the more rims they make the cheaper it is to make them as they have covered the tooling costs. I think the CR-18's are there and why we see such good prices on them.


The next set I want to build I want the vintage look so I'm leaning towards the high polish VO's as I said in the previous post. They remind me of the Rigda's my old Pug had. I think they will look excelent with the high flange Records I will be using.

They will.

+1 That's how I understand it.

I love the VO Diagonale rims on my bike, but I may use CR-18s on the next set I need. Very comparable rims in form and function.

Colonel,

I'll hope this thread isn't too old to pick up.

I'm hunting new rims for wider tires (35mm or so), and the VO Diagonale are right up there on my list.

Can you comment on your experience since this last posting, and why you might be more likely to choose the CR-18s for your next wheel set?

Very much appreciated.

Any others who care to comment, particularly on VO rims, would be also appreciated.

Thanks!

The SUN CR18 is the best no frills cost effective rim. If this is for a classic bicycle application then I'd seek out NOS Mavic Module rims. There is no better rim than the module. The Open Pro is garbage compared to the module.

LeicaLad,
I still love the Diagonale rims. I also have a set of fixed gear wheels built with the PBP rims. They're beautiful and strong. I will be building a set for my wife's bike soon for use with 32-35mm tires. It is worth the extra cost to me to use the Diagonales over the CR-18s. I like polished rims.

Many thanks for the response. I certainly like how they look. They're on sale, too.

Velo-Orange is having a big "yard sale" on Saturday. It's "only" about 50 miles over there, so I think I'll go spend a bunch of money!

We are pricing wheels and the few rims right now. there's a ton of stuff though.

I've never heard of OPs used for touring (do you mean loaded?) before. They're only 15mm, I think, and while their strength/weight ratio is great, I don't think they're the strongest out there?

+1 to this and all the other Sun Rims comments; good value.

I like Mavic. Open pro's and CXP 22 & 33 have a more vintage look (in silver). For me, my ATF are Ksyriums. For value a set of used Ksyriums, especially Elite can be had for under $300.

Sorry. Didn't see this. The Mavic Module E and E2 are nice, but very pricey -- when you can find them. I also think they're only good for narrow tires. I'm looking for rims that can take up tires from 28 to, say, 35 or 37mm.

But that's just my interest. Others might be inspired. There is a set of Mavic Module E2s on Epay, with about 2 hours to go, for $200!

I went with the CR18s with Normandy high flange hubs and Open Pros with ultegra hubs for the vintage go fast bike.

Both rim choices aren't extremely modern looking and fit in well on vintage bikes.

I just built a set of wheels (36h) using the Ambrosio Excellight SSC rim. Very nice quality, and great looking on a retro build. The rim is a deep box (not deep v), but not too deep. Very light, and they built a really solid set of wheels (hubs: All City New Sheriff front and Sturmey S3X rear).

I asked the same question a few months back and got some really positive and very similar responses as you are getting. In the end, I went with the Velo Orange PBP's.
So far, I've built the rear wheel and from what I can tell, they are really nice rims both in quality and to work with. They look a bit chunkier than the Mavic's but they are surprisingly lightweight and have a great, classic look to them. I got a few compliments when I took them to my LBS to measure for spokes. The only issue I found was where the weld came together. One of them is spot on perfect while the other is just the slightest touch off. Not enough to complain to VO about, just something I noted.
I'm really looking forward to getting them on a bike and taking them out for the true test (and a test to my first wheel build!).

thin man-
To clarify, our rims are not welded- they are sleeved. Sidewalls/ Brake track is not machined either. The brake track is taller than vintage NOS rims, and I think this is a good thing.