andy123 said:
i never realised changing the wheels could be SO complicated!!!
i've finally decided to change front+back wheels after having too many broken spokes. i would like something which will be very low maintenance and stay very true but not too heavy. does anybody have experience with:
1. DT swiss rr 1.1 rims? (with DT competition spokes+ shimano 105 hub)
2. velocity razor/aerohead (as above...)
3. cane creek aerohead wheelset (or any other reccomended sets?)
4. mavic cxp33 (for which i'll have to wait a few months)
i'd really apreciate any opinions.
thanx,
andy.
From #1 I have good experiences with DT Competition spokes (with the exception of some that have too long a distance from head to elbow) + 105 hubs have very good design at a very reasonable price.
From #2 I have good experiences from Velocity Aerohead rims and especially like the OC (off center) spoke holes for the rear wheel which helps equalize the spoke load.
From #4 I have good experiences with Mavic CXP33.
I wouldn't pay a significant premium in price for Mavic CXP33s over Velocity Aeorheads. I would make extra effort to get the Aerohead OC for the rear wheel.
CXP33 rims have an inset made of spring metal between the spoke holes in the inner and outer rim wall. The insert is there to hold a molded piece of metal that "cradles" the spoke nipple. These metal peices add to the rim weight without adding any structuaral connection between the inner and outer rim walls like the sockets do on OpenPro and A719 rims. The nipple "cradle" help distribute the spoke load locally. The spring metal keeps nipples from falling in the rim cavity when you are building the wheel. I have heard reports of the spring metal pushing through rim tape and causing "inside" flats be chewing into the inner tuber. Mavic, as many rim manufacturers often leaves little bits (usually spiral) of aluminum in the rim cavities. You can often vibrate the rim and use gravity to get those bits of metal out the valve hole.
Velocity Aerohead rims have no connection between rim walls at the spoke holes. Nipples can easily fall in, but they and any metal bits left in there can be easily shaken out through the spoke holes and valve hole.
Mavic welds their rim joint and machines all braking surfaces. Mavic anodizes all their current rims. Velocity gives you a choice of machined braking surface or not machined. Velocity doesn't weld the rim joint. Velocity gives you a choice of painted or anodized surface treatments. The Velocity rims I have used... and still do.... have as much or more accuracy of the rim joint as the Mavic rims I have built.
A quality build will make the most difference in durability.