It really bugs me to ride a bike with mismatched rims. I came upon three nice 36-hole Mavic G40 clincher rims a few years ago, and built up two rear wheels and a front using some nice NOS Normandy high-flange hubs I got at the same time. I figured I'd find a fourth rim to build another matching front wheel eventually.
But "eventually" still hasn't arrived. In the meantime, I avoid the horror of mismatched wheels by putting the front on whichever of the bikes with G40 rears that I happen to be riding at the time.
Does anyone else do this? Or am I nuts?
Answers to both questions could be "yes," I suppose.
JV

That sounds insane. What are you having trouble finding, the rim or the hub?

Nuts.

Nuts, but so am I. I'm still hunting for my Mavic MA rim....

When I'm riding I can't see the rims well enough to know if they are matched or not.

You should continue on your present course, assuming you have matching tires.

Blasphemy!! Even Hipsters don't ever dare be seen on a bike with mismatched wheels. Neon yellow in front with wood grain green on the back?? No Way Man!!

Chombi

What color G40?

I suggest you wear mismatched socks. The OCD crowd will be so offended by that, they won't notice the wheels.

I've done it quite a bit. It seems I'm always short either a front or rear at any given moment to keep all my bikes wheeled.

I just scored two cheap rears and a front in the dumpster, so I'm all set now. I also frequently switch fronts between the MTBs just for going from knobby to semi-slick purposes.

I prefer not to have mismatched rims (hubs not as much), though I have no good reason.

I have a Mavic Ksyrium SSC front (thanx Robbie!) and SL-ES rear on my Sampson, but I'm a cheap bastid'. Got them both for a good price (relatively speaking) and they're both black/black...but...the ES has the rub-it-in-your-face red hub unfortunately.

I deal with it...

That's nothing. I have a BLACK rim MA40 rim laced to a Phil wood and much more modern SILVER Mavic A719 laced to a Shimano 105. Another Cheap Bastard here. I got each one for about $70. Bike looks really ugly anyways with it's super tall Nitto technomic stem sticking out of a super small headtube.

MA40? Clincher? New or old decal?

You just need a pair for the odd 4th wheel and then you will be sitting pretty with an extra spare rear. In any event, those MAs shouldn't be too hard to find.

Btw, I have one old Wolber Aspin in the rear matched with a (red label) GL330. They are extremely similar in appearance, but it drives me nuts just the same. I doubt I could tell a performance difference. Still, I'm tempted to cover the Wolber decal with a matching GL330 label, and I'm always on the lookout for a 32H hoop like this:

The rim.

Yes, fortunately the tires DO match.

Sounds like a pretty good solution to me. Not first choice, perhaps, but pretty workable for now.

Just out of curiosity, now... so, you bought three rims, and built up three wheels. Did you buy three tires, or four?

It used to bug me - now, I just don't care that much. I've got a couple of bikes with mismatched wheels and even a couple with mismatched tires. I'll fix the latter in the winter when I swap some tubular tires around - but during riding season (and I'm by myself on rural roads most of the time) I go the quickest route so I can get back on the bike.

All three built wheels have the same 27-inch Kenda tires on 'em, and I have a fourth matching tire.
I know, the whole thing is kind of ridiculous--no reason why it should matter, but for some reason it does. Oddly enough, I have no qualms at all about going around with mismatched socks.

you're nuts, but it's not hurting anyone, so enjoy your crazy.

you're nuts, but you're not hurting anyone, so enjoy your crazy.

mismatched rims are not bad.

Your nuts are not hurting anyone either.

Everyone has a matched set until they taco one.....