right now i'm looking at mavic cxp33 and velocity deep Vs, does anyone have any other favorites, or links to decent online stores?

Deep-V's are 30mm, the CPX33's are only 25mm, despite the name.
Both should make for a strong wheel if properly built.

my Deep V is a new fav

It makes sense but are deep dish wheels actually structurally stronger than normal rims?

I think Deep V is junk. I recently picked up a CXP-14 (30mm like deep v but discontinued). I compared it side by side with deep v and my impresson is that Deep V cannot even hold a candle to cxp-14 or cxp-30. Here are my observations: deep v had uneven seam where the rim was joined, finishing was average, and worse, the holes have no reinforcement. Heck, even alex rims have stainless eyelets these days. cxp's have a internal stainless sleeve that reinforces the hole. Without reinforcement, a gaping hole is an invitation for cracking. Also, deep-v's profile is really not aero. The rim inside edge does not terminate in a sharp corner like cxp's, but is rounded, but not really aerofoil like. I am not sure how this factors into aero advantage. These and a few other observations (which escape me at the moment) made me conclude that deep-v is not in the same league as mavic's and some alex's. I am not sure if they are made in australia, but that it is made in austraila is no excuse to give it a blank check.

Here is something for you to ponder: Mavic cxp-30's have the same deepness as deep-v (30mm). They are discontinued sometime ago. But Cambridge Bicycles in boston area has a bunch of silver rims they acquired as NOS through some distributor. Give them a call before they are all gone. Also check out the new alex deep rim (new for 2005) in black.

I have one bike with Deep Vee rims and another with Fusions. I'm totally sold on Velocity rims. I'm most interested in a very strong rim due to my size and feel that Velocity gives me that.

With regards to the eyelet/no-eyelet issue (this comes up occasionally as an indicator of rim quality), it's apples and oranges. Some manufacturers make their rims with uniform wall thickness and the eyelets provide the added strength needed to prevent nipple break through. Others (like velocity) extrude their rims with a varying wall thickness where the thickest part is located at the spoke hole. I suspect both schools could present loads of studies showing their way is best but ultimately it's just two different ways to achieve the same end.

Of course, cheap rims with uniform wall thickness and no eyelets .... that's a different story but that's not what we're talking about.

With regards aerodynamics, I agree that the Deep Vee rim doesn't have as 'foil-like' a profile as some others but I don't know how that really translates to drag in the case of a spinning, spoked wheel ... besides, areodynamics is of little importance to me knowing that I could do more to lower my drag coefficient by spending a few dollars on more salads than fancier rims ;-)

As to the finish? My Deep Vee's are painted and have yet to scratch in a year of city riding ... they clean up like new. My Fusions are anodized which I feel is inferior. I've heard a rumor that all rims will be painted in the future.

Jim

I love 30mm rims; they are SO STIFF. I have some CXP30s and Rigida DP18s which I've found to be bomb proof.

Do the Rigidas have any sort of nipple retainer or eyelet (I'm yet to look)?

The CXP33s are (I think) only 23.4mm, but I liked them 'til I craked the rear. They have nipple "guiders" but no eyelet. They are nice and stiff, and reasonably light (about 440g).

I nearly bought a Deep V the other day, but I was also deterred by the vast "nothingness" around the spoke holes. I still might try one because they are super cheap.

That’s just like, your opinion, man.

I think the Deep V is one badass wheel. I have one for my rear wheel and I could tell the ride was more solid when I rode off from the bike shop. The only thing nobody told me was that you have to get extended valve tubes.

[QUOTE=South Fulcrum]That’s just like, your opinion, man.

I have nothing to contribute, but I have to say... nice use of a big lebowski quote! hahaha

mmm... deep dish

Velocities are really good stuff, and are actually based here in my town. I've dealt with them a lot and their warranty service is phenomenal (walk in with a bad wheel and walk out with a new one, or they build you one that day). One of their wheelbuilders has built a few sets of wheels for me and running their cheapie Spartacus wheelset, I have only had to true them once, and it was after I was launching my roadbike off of curbs and speedbumps. When I build a 29er I'm probably going to use Velocity Deep Vees or something similar since their wheels have been very reliable for me and a number of others I know.

Any word on those Alex SC7000 rims? I haven't found much except for the product website (https://alexrims.com/rims/r_sc7000.htm). I am very interested in these rims and will probably purchase a pair in the future as long as the price isn't exorbitant.