Deva <
[email protected]> wrote in message news:<
[email protected]>...
> Hi,
>
> Does anyone have any knwledge of the Alex R390 rims that Nashbar has on sale for 14.99? How are
> Alex rims for durability and finish? They are not too heavy (480g). I am thinking of making a pair
> up with 36 holes lx or xt hubs for commuting and touring. I purchased a used Trek 520 that had
> alot of mileage on the original wheels.
>
> Thanks
>
> John
Actually, I just built my first set of wheels using those Alex R390 rims about 2 months ago for a
general set of training wheels for my "vintage" (1986 Bianchi Sport SX) road bike. I laced them up
using Sapim 14/15 DB spokes (black) and brass nipples. For my first experience in wheelbuilding
(following Jobst Brandt's book to the letter) they seemed to build up just fine....no unexpected
problems with truing them and getting them up to proper tension. I've put at least 500 to 600 miles
on them since then and they are as true as they were first built...of course, I think that's more a
measure of the build technique than the rim quality. The only minor problem is that there tended to
be a slight radial "step" at where the 2 ends of the hoop are connected with the plug, but I can't
feel it in the ride at all. The "step" was less than 1 mm. Although my experience with bike rims is
somewhat limited, the R390s with their double stainless eyelets, machined sidewalls, and black
powdercoat finish appear to be pretty good value for the money. I'll see how durable they are in
the future.
Interestingly, since my son is just getting into BMX racing, I've noticed that a lot of mid to high
end bmx bikes come with Alex rims, and the R390 rim section is a very common 20" rim spec.
I guess I could consider my wheels 700C BMX rims!
Tom (not gonna ride this bike on the BMX track) Anhalt