Anyone here have experience touring with Rigida Grizzly CSS rims? The folks at Thorn seem to really like them. One downside is you need to use specific pads for the rim, but the braking surface is supposed to last much longer.

I was thinking of getting this 26" wheel set for my upcoming tour of South America:

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-H...okes-18924.htm

I have no personal experience with them but why not get the Andra 30 CSS rim:

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-R...ling-12859.htm

as they appear to be more expedition quality according to the Thorn Nomad Mk2 Brochure (page 6). It seems they are the same cost and use the same pads.

If you will be in South America long, I wonder if buying a rim that requires a proprietary brake pads could be problematic if replacements are needed.

There are threads discussing these rims on the Thorn forums...I don't think the brake pads will be an issue as they are small/light so you can carry enough for a long trip easily. Personally I don't brake a lot when touring if I'm riding open roads a lot so my pads last a long time.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I ended up going with a local(ish) builder and getting sun rhyno lite rims.