A friend just sold me a set of Alex DA16s laced to American Classic track hubs. I scored 'em for 150USD including a pair of Continental Ultra Sports with less than 100 miles on them. What I'm wondering is whether the Alex rims on par with the hubs they're laced to or if I maybe should buy something a little nicer. Aesthetically, they're black with no decals so I'm not unhappy there, but for one thing, I would kind of like actual track wheels and these have machined sidewalls. This will eventually go on a bareknuckle, most likely, and be ridden hard around town. No bar spins or wheelies, just riding fast.

Keep 'em? Change 'em out? For what?

Bear in mind that labor is not an issue as I have a friend who works at an LBS who will build wheels at home for me.

I would ride American Classic hubs laced to Kinlins with some decent double butted spokes.

Edit: But if there's nothing wrong with them I don't think you need to relace them.

if there's nothing wrong with the rims i see no reason to replace them, the american classics are nice but it's not like they're some 1950 NOS campy shiz, just decently nice sealed bearing track hubs, the rims you have on there will be fine, don't waste your friends time having them rebuild them.

People dont like them, but the DA16s are a solid quality rim. They are double walled, reasonably light, and build up clean. Not the nicest, but no real reason to change them out. Unless you want to drop a ton of money for not a whole lot of gain outside of aesthetics.

That was my feeling but it's nice to hear someone say it outside my head. I will eventually get my gear fund flush enough for a really sweet build but these will do.

just ride it.

The DA16 rims are about 100g heavier (per rim) than the competition for the same type of rim. If weight is not a concern and you like the low profile, just keep them.

Why wreck up a perfectly good set of wheels. Unless you're thinking of carbon race tubulars. Then we'll talk.

If your planning on riding fast, then the machined sidewalls will come in handy when your braking and need to stop quickly.