i am going on a holiday this weekend, and was thinking of picking up some bits and pieces for my bike.
the main reason being that i have money lying around and that where i live certain things are hard to come by.

are velocity deep v's or H+sons beneficial at all?
or are they really just for looks?

velocities are bombproof, really strong wheels that can take a pounding. dont know too much on H+sons

yeah, velocities are almost indestructible. they are, of course, quite heavy, but an awesome no-worry rim that happens to also come in crazy colors...

Almost any high spoke count wheel with proper tension is going to be "almost indestructable" so beyond fashion there isn't a ton of performance based reasons to go deep v.

+1, especially since other 30mm profile rims that are lighter and cost the same as a deep V are available. Of course you don't even need a rim that deep in the first place. A well-build FG/SS wheel is much much stronger than a similar road wheel due to the lack of dish. A wheel built with a quality shallow rim (such as an open pro or aerohead) is going to be plenty strong, even with a reduced number of spokes. When it comes to wheels, never underestimate the importance of build quality.

i'm not saying there aren't other beefy rims out there, i'm just saying deep v's are one of them...

A quality build box rim is going to be just as strong as a Deep V and save a little bit of weight. Deep V and H+sons seem to be the hot items for style and not for their performance. I currently have a set of Mavic rims laced to a Suzue high flange in the front and a Dimension in rear and they have stayed true for a year so far...I still check them whenever I get bored or the urge though.

yes, deep v's are almost always bought because of style, with all the crazy colors, i'm just saying that doesn't make them ****ty rims.

You are right, the weight and build quality make them ****ty rims.

No actually it won't. How do you think the deep v is stronger than a regular box section rim? Yes, exactly because of the deeper profile.

Then why don't BMXers or mountain bikers ride deep profile rims? Plus Deep V's have pinned--not welded--joints.

How much difference is lacing an Open Pro up to my current rear hub to replace my Alex R500 going to make? I've got an extra lying around in my closet.

The deep profile makes them stiffer, not necessarily stronger. "Stronger" is a vague term.

+1^

Another vote for open pro. Strong, lighter rim. Double walled, eyeleted for the win!

I think spokes and the quality of the wheelbuilding are actually more important factors in wheel strength than rims. Problems in wheel strength(going out of true, tacoing)(not stiffness) are a result of the spokes coming loose. Tighter spokes equal a stronger/impact resistant wheel.

And I may be wong, but I think hub width is also a factor in strength. Wider=stronger. Tandems have really wide hubs--some up to 160mm.

Ah yes. Double butted spokes, always.

on the topic of rims, my winter project is building up a Pinarello that i recently acquired, i ride on the streets so the tubulars that it came with are going to have to be replaced, i got some Phil Wood hubs (i know their not italian) but they were reasonably cheap and from feedback by other riders i know, a great hub. Anyways, do you guys have any suggestions on good 32 hole rim to lace em to? I have considered Deep V's but i feel that this bike deserves something more that that, although i have used Deep V's in the past and they have worked fine, i feel they are a little too generic for this italian beauty.

what is the road equivalent of a mavic 517?

Do you have open pros? cos I was looking into them for an upgrade wheel-set whenever I get the money. Don't know how much of an upgrade that will be over my stock rush-hour wheels, just basic stuff, but they do get out of true quite often. I might go with the mavics though if i ever do swap them out, they're almost the same price as deep-vs, and much lighter. I ride my bike to go fast and have a good time, quality over flash anyday.