I've owned and ridden several. They're tough rims.

thanks, might pull the trigger on those wheels soon.

I will second this. I have them on my Zephyr, they're pretty tough.

Yeah, both the Sun M13 and the wider CR18 are excellent low-cost rims.

Looking for thoughts on the Sun Ringlé Assault rims? I am probably getting a set laced to some AC New Sheriff SLs soon. The Langster rims are getting old and worn and I am looking for a decent budget option. If not the Assaults which rim would be better? I am not a light dude but I also tend not to thrash my stuff. 32h presta valve.

all i know is that the CR18s are so tough youd have to try to break them. like with a sledgehammer.

My old wheelset was a pair of M13's and they're being retired due to cracks around the nipple eyelets. In fairness, it is my understanding theses wheels were ridden HARD, and had seen tons of miles before I acquired them. They held true for me even though they're at the end of their life.

Can anyone recommend a mid to high end pair of two-bolt clipless shoes that are minimally padded in and around the uppers? The pair I have now retains a ton of water when wet and I'd like to get something that isn't as absorbent.

What style shoe are you looking for? Chrome style street shoes, sneakers/touring shoes or all out MTB style with stiff soles?

I have two pair of Shimano CT45, two bolt, which I wear when I ride my fixed gear, one sized up for thicker socks in the winter. The three mesh panels on the side of the shoe (red arrows) are wide open, you can see right through them. The mesh panels on top of the shoe are bonded to a fabric backing with no padding. The tongue however, is padded like any running shoe. Definitely not winter shoes. I have wide feet and high arches and these fit me well, lots of volume in the toe box.

They are on sale now at REI for $50, down from $100 and that's why I point them out. Limited sizes online but I found some that fit in stock at the local store.

Shimano Click'R CT45 Bike Shoes - Men's - REI.com

I am looking for what are basically recessed cleat road shoes, so stiff is good. During the winter I use neoprene shoe covers, so I don't need any specific winterization built into the shoe. The ones you linked seem interesting and along the lines of what I meant, though perhaps not as performance-oriented as what I'm looking for.

Giro makes some dope commuting/touring road shoes. Maybe look at the Republic, Grynd, and Rumblr VR.

I love these shoes, had mine for about 3 years now and still going strong.
Shimano RT82 SPD Touring Cycling Shoes - Black Sports & Leisure | ProBikeKit.com

Word on the street is to hold off for the 2016 designs
The same goes for their forged rubber when they get rid of those god-awful undersole.

The forged rubber sole is a bit strange. Were it not for a healthy discount, I would not have bought the Timur's. But at $30, they are decent.

Thinking about SRAM red brake calipers for my Langster. Anybody using these? Like them?

I have not used those but noticed some SRAM calipers on sale at the Performance outlet site.

SRAM Force, $149 + another 20% off.
Performance Bike - SRAM Force Brakes

SRAM Red Aero Link 2013
SRAM Red Aero Link Brakeset 2013

That price on the red aeros is bizarre, I believe the original retail was $249. Universal has them for $200.

Do spd cleats use a 4m Allen/hex key?

Yes.

Sidi Drako...a tad spendy, but meets your requirements I think.
I own a pair and couldn't be happier

So here's a stupid question. I'm really enjoying my Kona Unit but started thinking about how wide tires I can possibly run on my stock rims (WTB ST i23)? Can this be measured somehow?

Thanks.

What size do you have on there now? I have an older Kona Unit and 2.2 is pretty much the most I can get in the rear, but that's just frame clearance. How wide do you want to go?

Still using the stock Ardent 2.25" both front and rear. Just toying around with the idea of making the front fatter, but at the same time hesitant on spending money on rim/tire/fork - guess I'm just curious of how wide tires the rims "allow".

how do you guys deal with toe overlap?

Ignore it.