Touring wheel build advice?
 

I'm planning to build some touring or long distance wheels. 3x, 36 holes, Shimano 600 126mm hubset with freewheels. I want some rims suited to a 32 mm 700c tire, something supple like a Gran Bois. The rim selection is my main question. The bike will be a 198x Woodrup, double butted 531 throughout.

I've had good experience with Sapim CXray spokes. I'll either go with those or with DT butted, probably 2.0/1.8/2.0. I weigh 175 to 185, depending, I'd only road ride, and loads probably 30# rear and 10# front, as maximums. Road riding, some on unavoidable dirt farm roads, no off-road or forest trails, and road pavements are sometimes broken.

So far the options seem to be Mavic A719, Velocity Dyad, Alex DH22, Sun CR17, and ... not too sure what else.

Price draws one to the Sun. My wheelbuilder suggests the Dyad, but there is a recent on-forum thread about some impact degradation leading to outright failure. A719's seem reliable, at least no negative anecdotes yet, and the Alex is unknown to me.

I'd like to have some aero shape, if possible.

Anyone have experience with the Sun?

Anyone have a really good recommendation?

Thanks!

Road Fan

I like the Mavic A719's but I don't think they suit your vintage resto.
I went through the same thing with my 84' Nishiki Continental when I built a set of wheels for it last winter.
I also used Shimano 600 hubs (late 80's) and a set of late 80's Mavic rims. But I still think the wheelset looks a bit to modern.
I may build an "older" set this winter but I am back to looking for vintage rims. And the rims offered way back then wern't the best in terms of strength or durability compared to modern offerings.

My riding partner rides on the A-719s and hasn't had a single problem.

Dyad's are tough as nails too... seriously, i dont know how that one was destroyed... but ive had both the a 719s and dyads, and they are both great.

You mentioned the Gran Bois. Why did that get tossed out? That, or possibly the Sun rim, are the only ones you mentioned that will look 'period' on that bike.

My guess is you won't feel any aerodynamic influence when riding fully-loaded at touring speeds. I have some 27mm deep V-shaped rims for my road bike and they don't seem to provide any real aero benefit. They're stronger than heck and slightly nervous in cross-winds, but not really aero...

I'm not sure where I heard it, but aero rims don't provide much, if any benefit below 17 mph. This probably needs some verification, because I am not sure of the source.

I run A 719's but Dyad's are plenty strong.The Sun CR-18 rims are suppose to build a strong wheel,but not the truest and they come polished if you want.

I've also heard that aero benefits start to kick-in at around 18mph. When I test-rode a Cervelo S2 back-to-back with my Cervelo RS, I noticed that above 18mph it was much easier to keep the S2 moving.

I've never noticed a benefit from my 27mm deep rims, however, regardless of speed. Suspect you'd need rims closer to 40mm in depth in order to get any noticeable aero benefit.

I didn't mean to say it was a period restoration. I'm using the frame and other available parts, mixed with suitable new parts, to try and build a light-to-medium touring bike. The reason for using this frame is that it takes fenders with 700c x 32 mm, it has a cushy ride, and a tall enough head tube to let me fit a nice front bag. Also a decent amount of rake. If an aero effect from the will will help me, I want that. I do agree it's a small effect at my speed range, 13 to 22 mph.

Again, it's not a restoration, it's a build of a long-distance bike.

I mentioned the Gran Bois because it's supposed to be a comfortable tire, smooth, and easy rolling. It's really just a thought.

Thanks for the insight that Sun rims might not start out being true, as delivered.

For the info on the Dyad failures, check the recent (last 5 days) threads by AnnaMossity, here in Touring. I'm rather surprised, but can't say I don't believe him.

I was waiting in my LBS one day, and was looking at a Open Pro rim, and saw a glint of light through the supposedly welded seam. Defects happen. I am thinking about trying Velocity rims. My wife has some, they are pretty good.

My wife also runs Grand Bois tires. We do lite touring, and she even tours on them. But... she weighs 110 pounds the day after Thanksgiving, and she is a nonaggressive rider. She just pedals along nice and easy. We do lite touring, btw. I check her panniers, and I don't let them go over 22 pounds.

She has never flatted a Grand Bois, but then she never, ever gets flats. If I rode that tire, I'd get a flat almost every week. I am a very heavy guy and I like to go fast. I buy rugged or it dies.

Anyway, the Grand Bois is not even close to be a touring tire. If you weigh 110 pounds, fine. Other than that, fahgettaboutit...

I suggest the Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 35c. Schwalbe lies like a rug, their 35 is a 32c. But they make a nice tire, and that has a nice ride. I feel 32 is a minimum size for touring if you are doing traditional touring with tents and such.

The tire I am using now is the Panaracer Pasela TG Folding 32c. It's a nice balance between this and that and costs about half what the Supremes do.

Welded seams aren't necesarry, so as long as it doesn't cause the brakes to skip, it really shouldn't mater. Not a confidence builder though.

Aero rims are just stronger, maybe not required but no harm if you can tolerate the weight. Aero effect is not important in touring, though it might be at least non-useless in a nasty headwind.

I have been very happy with the A719...