Polished or brushed CR18?
 

Hey guys I am finishing up a build commuter build with an 87 Schwinn Voyageur and am debating on rim choice. I will be using Shimano 105 'silver' hubs, stainless steel spokes, silver brass nipples. Which finish do you think would look more appropriate, polished or brushed?

polished. they are never inappropriate.

+1 With one exception, where I bought a pre-built rim that was anodized, I have always bought polished rims. Polished looks great in almost every case with a C&V bike. The one exception I'm speaking about, BTW, is my 2010 Cannondale Quick CX Rigid. I don't think polished would have added anything with that bike.

It could go either way in my book. Polished definitely won't hurt. Only thing that bugs me a bit, the brake track on the polished rims isn't, so if you are used to chrome steel rims the look is just a bit different.

I love the CR-18 rims, I have them built into wheels for several bikes ranging from a 2006 Redline R530 to replacement wheels for our vintage Raleigh 3 speeds. I am going to order another set to build up a set of wheels for my expedition tour bike.

Aaron :)

Polished rims are a lot of work to keep up if you own a lot of them. I do and I'll never buy another set. My favorite rims are polished and clear anodized Mavic MA. They look almost the same as My polished rims.

This is the hesitation I had with it being my commuter.

+1 to what GB said.

I am partial to polished, however. This is the first wheelset that I have ever built: polished Suzue to polished Cr18.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-A...0/DSC02803.JPG

I usually throw a coat of wax on my polished rims, then dirt and grunge wipes off easily with a damp rag.

Aaron :)

I have a pair of the polished CRs and love them, BUT for a commuter I'd probably go with brushed. They'd just be easier to keep looking good (dirt, water spots, etc.). Those 105 hubs should look great with them.

Pimp yo whip!

Thanks for the input. Due to my laziness I'll do the brushed, as mentioned they'll be easier to maintain aesthetically. Plus they may look better with the Shimano 'silver' hubs

Where are you guys getting polished CR-18s? As far as I knew, they were DCd about a year ago and are unavailable unless you find some that were sitting around a shop.

I wish I'd have been able to get them for my Atala wheel build.

I can attest that the silver ones look pretty good, too.

$25
http://www.treefortbikes.com/#navbar...22358486___373

Universal and possibly Niagara has them too

What size are you looking for?

I just ordered 4 in the 590 size, I ordered a 700c in satin and the warehouse shipped a polished M13 instead :rolleyes:

I think they may have started production again.

Aaron :)

I agree with Grand Bois, I like brushed rims because they are easy to clean. I also sort of like some painted components for the same reason. It all depends on what is important to you.