KoYak

Hello everyone,

Looks like I will be buying a new set of wheels this summer. I am seriously considering a ~23mm width rim wheelsets.

Ritchey WCS Zeta

Hed Ardennes GP

Velocity A23 Pro Build

They are all about the same retail price about $700.

Looks like you get the least grams per dollar for the Velocity A23 (1400 g / set).

did a quick Google search for the and Ritcheys can be bought around $575-600.

Are there any others I should be looking at? Ruling out the ZIPP 101s. They are a bit too expensive for me.

If anyone is riding any or these, I'd appreciate a little feedback.

WhyFi

In addition, Soul Wheels has a set of S3.0 Wides - either 22 or 23mm wide. Not on the web site yet, but I think they're shipping. Maybe he'll pop in and post some specifics.

American Classics has a set or two, as well.

eippo1

I have a handbuilt pair of 23's using the HED C2 rim, which is the same rim in the Ardennes. Great wheelset and I love the feel of cornering with wider rims. Just feels a bit tighter imo.

KoYak

Eippo1, thanks for the feedback on the HED rims.

anyone try the Velocity A23 or Ritchey WCS Zetas

KoYak

I got an email from Sean at Soul. His 3.0 wides measure 25mm wide. Actually, 25mm width sound great (I guess made to run 25 mm tires).

Question...there shouldn't be any issues with 25mm width rims fitting a normal road bike...Mine is a 2010 CR1.

Looigi

I have a like the HED Bastogne (now called Ardennes LT). As others have mentioned good ride and great cornering.

The dimensions used for rims, 19, 23, etc. is the width of the brake tracks. The relevant dimension for tire performance is the inner bead width which is a fair amount less. The Soul wheels may measure 25mm across the brake tracks but how does the inner bead width compare to HED C2 rims?

hammond9705

I'm curious why you want wide rims

Elvo

S3.0 wides are 24mm wide.

culallen

The S3.0's I ordered are going to be 25mm.

StanSeven

They handle and corner better

ADSR

You can build the same set of Velocity wheels using Pro Wheel Builder for about 200 dollars less.

KoYak

still considering the Velocity A23. However Souls are 30 mm deep. Not sure if they will make a aero difference for me. But they do look cool.

Bob Dopolina 

Ignore rim width.

Look at the ETRTO numbers for an accurate comparison. A "23mm" rim (measured at the brake track) should be 622x17 ~ 622x19. Using these numbers will give you a better idea of how the tire and rims will interface.

KoYak

Just realized i never answered your question. From what I've read they handle better and more comfortable (like tubulars). I'm not a racer but handling is important to me. However, a comfortable cushy ride on 23 or 25 mm tires is what intrigues me about the wider rims.

ALANB58

This is a stupid, very stupid comment, but after doing several hours of research I was under the impression the 23 mm rims were primarily for better aerodynamics while using 23 mm tires, that have become almost standard and the only widely available tires. Supposedly HED and ZIP figured this out a couple years back. From what I hear the better handling is a a welcome side effect.

No offence if you want a cushy ride but I want to go fast, and I ride 23 mm tires, I used to ride skinnier tires. Tires went through a tech revolution during the recent decade when I could not ride more than 800 miles a year. Tires are so much better than they used to be. A good quality clincher today feels like a good quality tubular from 20 years ago.

The only thing this thread is missing is input from racers!

max power

FYI the ritcheys are not wide rims, they're 19mm wide, the 24mm number you're seeing is how deep they are. which is about as deep as most entry level wide rims are anyways. but if it's road comfort you're looking for then these have been reviewed to give exceptional ride quality.

max power

that's interesting since the S3.0's i recieved were 24mm wide (measured and stated by sean). nitpicking of course but still i suggest you confirm with him

KoYak

Not sure which comment you are referring to as "stupid".

none taken. Looks like wide rims can fulfill both our requirements to go fast and a cushy ride.

KoYak

You are absolutely right...I misread the specs.

KoYak

You are absolutely right...I misread the specs.

AEO

an ETRTO 622x18 or 19mm rim will end up being approximately 23mm on the outer width.
I'm a bit skeptical about velocity weight claims, but if all you want to do is try out a 23mm rim, then you can go for something like a Sun CR-18 or mavic A119.

Usually you only want to use 622x18mm rims with tires that are, at the narrowest, 28mm, but it doesn't seem to be too bad to run a narrower tire on them. The only downside, at least according to sheldon, is that you are more likely to get pinch flats, when running narrower tires on wide rims.

I find that the claims about ride comfort and better handling are less noticeable with 23mm tires, than they are with 38mm tires. It's really unpleasant to run narrow rims with wide tires, as cornering feels terrible when the sidewalls flex as much as they do.

KoYak

After much paralysis by analysis, I finally bought a set of Velocity A23 wheelset. I decided to go with Comp build for extra durability. @ 1580 g, I feel these wheels are a good weight vs strength compromise for me (190 lbs). I am thrilled with these wheels! Compared to Aksiums that came stock on my Cr1 Team, these wheels spin up much quicker, and more importantly, provide a silky smooth ride (100 psi rear, 90 psi front). The A23s also free wheel for ever. I have about 300 miles on them and they are still very true.

Only complaint is rim seam, which were noticeable when braking for the first 250 miles or so. However, the seam has worn away and barely it's now barely noticeable. Also, these rims paired with 25mm Continental GP4000s are very wide and chainstay clearances are very tight. Tight enough that a slight wobble will rub the chainstay. I'll be switching tires to 23's, just to be safe.

I purchased these for $400 (Sticker price is $550), So i feel they are great bang for the buck.

cuda2k

KoYak, thanks for the feedback that the seam on the A23 wore away to near nill after a few hundred miles. I'm in line for a wheel build with the HED Belgium, but it's good to know for down the road that the A23 is an option that will (eventually) yield satisfactory braking.