One of these is to go on a bike to be sold. The other I will keep for a future build. Both of them I like. I’m just not familiar enough with the pros and cons of either to decide which set is a keeper. I’m just talking about the rims here.

Matrix IsoC versus Araya 700C

personally I would keep the Araya. box section will ride better and the eyelets are better for the nipples. I have had trouble with rims like that matrix cutting nipples

I like the Matrix, as I upgrade to more modern looks most of the time.

The Arayas are probably lighter, and BG is right about eyelets. They go out of true more often, though.

I know two guys, both of whom are looking for a rim like that Araya. It matches some Wolbers pretty well.

I tend to agree with you BG that the box section design of the Araya with eyelets is a tried and true design; although, if you read Peter White’s page about the Velocity Areohead who’s V design seems similar to the Matrix, he suggests that eyelets are not necessary. I think I recall reading about stress fractures showing up around the nipples of the Matrix however. Also gotta believe that although these are a clean set for now, eventually the gray anodization will eventually wear away at the braking surfaces. I hate that look.

You should be using washers under the nipples with the Matrix rim:

I had a pair of those Matrix rims on an old build, they were pretty near bulletproof for the time I had them, a bit heavy but very tough.

Araya red labels ftw... I love these classic box section rims and have never experienced any problems with them.

If anyone has a silver one I am looking... I keep finding 630's and need another 622 to rebuild a wheel.

The Matrix wheels are decent and I'd be selling these as they seem to be easier to find should you want another set.

It's seems that the consensus is that the Araya's are the keepers. That makes it easier on me as the Matrixs are ready to go and the Arayas Suzue hubs are badly corroded and need relacing.

Thanks once again C&V Forum. Next question, would these Arayas look out-of-place on an Italian frame?

If you are concerned about appearances you can always peel the sticker off...

Best new user name in awhile^^^

^^^^
Yes, I agree. I'm not sure how Campy-Nerdo they are with the 'peel-the-sticker-off' solution. I'm not such a Puritan, but I've met some Italian bike purists who would spit on your bike if they saw a JP part on your Ital bike. Best not to go there probably.

Wait-a-minute, the Arayas don't have nipple eyelets either so that being a plus is out. Still think I will keep them. You don't come across gold anodized rims that often.

The Matrix ISO rims are a royal PITA when it comes to tire changing. Avoid those!

The Arayas sometimes lose a tire bead and blow out, i.e. the bead "hook" isn't a hook but a mere semi-circular nub.
I've lost one each one was wired and one was folding. In both cases the tire blew off after extended downhill braking, and both times the tire started thumping against the fork leg for a few turns before going "BOOM". I always run 90psi up front, but also should mention both tires were a bit dry from age so the bead area wasn't exactly grippy like a newer tire.
I even had a 3rd tire blow off of an Araya rim, in my livingroom and not while being inflated. Again, the tire was well-aged, and again, the tire didn't come apart, it just crept off of the rim.

I've not had this problem with any other rims except perhaps an older rim with no bead hooks at all. I do know how to properly mount tires, not trapping the tube, etc.

So, moral of the story might be that older Arayas are fine for modest pressures using reasonably fresh tires. If these Arayas are singlewall, then tire changes will be particularly easy but the rims might be on the heavy side and not particularly strong.

Maybe some of that tubeless sealant goo or something along the tyre bead might do the trick...

This is what I'm finding with Matrix ISO tubular rims. On the other hand, I can't figure out what kind of brake they are really designed for. The sloped rim side is aero and graceful, but it doesn't hit any brake shoe square. Decent braking is possible, but it wears brake shoes at their upper edge.

Even worse with a "sloped" brake track on the rim's sides, if the wheel has any hop to it at all, this affects the effective width of the rim between the pads, causing pulsation of the brakes.


"Maybe some of that tubeless sealant goo or something along the tyre bead might do the trick..."

That sounds like fun. Glued-on clinchers!
Seriously, as some formulations are liquid latex, and prolly give a quite decent grip!

Man, you shoulda heard that front tire blow. I was riding after dark, and soon many porch lights went on! Quite lucky for me, as I was able to make the repair on one of those lit porches.