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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

971.0. "Lightweight clincher rims" by CUJO::LEBLANC () Mon Jan 23 1989 16:58

Has anyone had experience with any of the listed lightweight clincher rims?

                         $pr     weight    width
------------------------------------------------
        Araya CTL-370    $85      375       19
        Araya CT-19      $80      408       19
        Campy Omega-     $80      415       19
           Strada
        Campy Omega-     $85      445       20
           Strada V
        Mavic Open 4CD   $80      405       19


or any others in the 400 gram and $85 or less price range.  I'm looking to
replace my sew-ups this year.
    I've just read #684 again and don't want to get caught up in the debate
over tubulars versus clinchers.  So you intransigents just go back to that note!
Clincher rims only.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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971.1shop aroundSTAR::MCCARTHYMon Jan 23 1989 18:458
    
    
    Just to let you know, I ordered a pair of Campy Omega's from Bike
    Nashbar and they cost $59. They are still in the box so I don't
    have any info on performance.
    
    
    Joe
971.2Bad experience with Campy clincherIAMOK::WESTERMon Jan 23 1989 20:337
    In an earlier note I described the ordeal I had with Campy Omega
    Strada's.  Maybe I got hold of a bad set, but if not, most/all Kevlar
    bead clinchers are unmountable on them.  
    
    I sent mine back and built a pair of Nashbar UC19's.  Lightweight
    and cheap, we'll see about performance this spring.
    
971.3Just bought a setNAC::KLASMANTue Jan 24 1989 10:3113
< Note 971.0 by CUJO::LEBLANC >
                         -< Lightweight clincher rims >-

I just bought a bike with Araya CTL-370's, so I'll have some impressions 
sometime this spring.  One warning:  REI, from whom I bought the bike, has had 
problems with machine-built wheels using these rims.  It appears that the 
spokes were over-tensioned and the spokes pulled thru the rim.  I saw one of 
the rims and it is not a pretty sight.  I'd hate to have one of these break on 
me while riding.  My wheels were hand-built and there's apparently a new batch 
of rims with improvements to prevent this from happening.  I'm a little leery 
of these rims, but we'll see how it goes.

Kevin
971.4quote on ctl-370CUJO::LEBLANCuppers are downers and downers are uppersTue Jan 24 1989 17:3328
< Note 971.3 by NAC::KLASMAN >

> One warning:  REI, from whom I bought the bike, has had 
> problems with machine-built wheels using these rims.  It appears that the 
> spokes were over-tensioned and the spokes pulled thru the rim.  I saw one of 
> the rims and it is not a pretty sight.  

This quote from Bicycling June 88 issue (where I got the table in 971.0)

" Araya CTL-370: this was the only sub-400-gram rim available for testing. It
has a "box" or square cross-section. Its light weight is achieved through
thinner rimm walls and the use of a single grommet on the top or face of the
rim to provide a nipple seat and to spread the spoke load over a greater area.
This grommet replaces the conventional full ferrule that engages the bed
(covered by the rim strip) and face of the rim.
  Prior to lacing we noticed a slight pucker around the spoke holes. When the
wheel was tensioned, this deformation became slightly more pronounced. 
Although this shouldn't be a problem unless the alloys's elastic limit was
exceeded, it did make us uncomfortable. The deformation probabley occurred 
during drilling or, more likely, grommet installation, since the valve hole 
(which lacks a grommet) was not deformed. So far, however, we haven't noticed
any loosening of the spokes, and indicator of permanent deformation.  ...."

     Perhaps the modified grommets are the reason the spokes were pulling 
through.  I want to get a clincher that approaches the weight of medium
sew-up but not at the price of sturdiness.  It seems that some of the 
manufacturters are pushing the technology a little far.  I think what I
want is a rim that is light but sturdy too.  Am I in a dream?  Maybe.
971.5My 2 CentsICBB::JSMITHBikes Spoke_n HereWed Jan 25 1989 12:005
    Light (fairly), Sturdy (Supports my 225 lbs. over back roads), and
    Reasonably Priced ($119.00 pair w/Shimano 600 ex hubs) = MAVIC MA40's
    They are not *aero* but you can't go wrong on quality and dependability
    at any price.
    						Jerry
971.6Mavic has strong guarantyWEA::BUCHANANBatWed Jan 25 1989 15:294
I second the endorsement of Mavic MA40.  Another thing about Mavic is their
guaranty.  If you should break one of their rims, as I did, they will not only
replace the rim but pay the labor cost to relace the wheel.

971.7MC40's okATLAST::ELLISJohn Lee Ellis - assembly requiredWed Jan 25 1989 22:425
    Recently got MA40's with my new bike - they've done just fine.
    They are 32-hole rims, which seems a good compromise.
        
    -john
971.8How are the Nashbars?CUJO::LEBLANCuppers are downers and downers are uppersThu Jan 26 1989 15:0916

>    Recently got MA40's with my new bike - they've done just fine.
>    They are 32-hole rims, which seems a good compromise.
        
I have Mavics on my touring bike and I agree that they are very good rims.
My goal is to find the rim that is lighter than the ma40.  The price on
the Nashbar lightweight rim looks real good; about $18 - $19 each.  I am
tempted to try them at that price.  I weigh about 160 lbs. and am not that
fierce a sprinter or hill climber.  I wonder if they would hold up.  One 
of the other considerations used by the magazine testers is the hardness
of the anodizing and how it stands up to brake pad wear. 

Well just a few more thoughts but no decision yet.

Steven Le Blanc
971.9 MA40 and Open CD4'sBREW11::DONNELLYThu Feb 02 1989 10:4815
    
    I have a pair of MA40's which I am very pleased with , and bought
    a pair of Mavic Open CD4's on Shimano 600 hubs with flat spokes
    radially at the front and radial,two cross for the rear.
    
    I use them mostly for Time-Trials and improved all my times last
    year !!(As this was my second year......)
    
    I am very pleased with them , but remember you will have to 
    incline your brake blocks slightly for a flush fit on the rims.
    
    Cheers Dave Donnelly.
    
    P.S. Any other U.K. Time trial people out there??
    
971.10MA40'SWMOIS::C_GIROUARDThu Feb 09 1989 15:185
    I too have recently bought a new bike and chose MA40's. Only have
    trainer experience - no road (I live in Ma). I'm really glad to
    hear all the positives though!
    
    Chip
971.11MA40's... good wheelNAC::KLASMANThu Feb 09 1989 15:318
< Note 971.10 by WMOIS::C_GIROUARD >
                                  -< MA40'S >-

I've used MA40's for racing for several years and find them to be very tough. 
I really think I can go to a lighter wheel for racing and use them for 
training. (I'm 137 lbs)

Kevin
971.12ULTRA-LIGHT CATEGORIESWMOIS::C_GIROUARDMon Feb 27 1989 15:1012
    I'm running between 167-170lbs. I did look at MAVIC's 4CD's and
    they scared me a bit. They are so thin and light. But everyone is
    right. The rim was set up on a MAVIC hub and a wind trainer (just
    the rim) and thing would spinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn forever.
    
    I just envisioned myself eating pavement on the first of a million
    bumps I'd hit in Gardner, ma.
    
    Am I paranoid or should you be very careful when getting into
    the "ultra-light" categories?
    
    Chip
971.13Open 4CDHYLNDR::OUELLETTEBuddy OuelletteTue Mar 29 1994 16:5616
I just ordered a set of new wheels with Mavic Open 4CD rims and Shimano
Ultegra 600 hubs from my local bike shop.  I was torn between the MA40 or
Open 4CD and decided to go with the Open 4CD because it wasn't that much
more expensive and was more aero.  My reason for ordering them was to provide
myself with a quality set of wheels for fast recreational riding and
occaisional racing.  My current stock wheels will be used as backups.

After reading some earlier replies about how light and narrow these rims are
and how one might not feel too comfortable with them on bumpy roads, I'm
wondering if I made the wrong choice.  I ride in Mass where some of the roads
can be in pretty tough shape.

They've been ordered, but not built yet.

Any comments?
971.14WMOIS::GIROUARD_CTue Mar 29 1994 18:128
     Been runnin' 'em for years with no problem. They hold true extremely
     well. I live in an area where the road surface quality IS NOT any
     towns priority.
    
     You'll be pleased with them.
    
     Chip
                                                     
971.15NOVA::FISHERTay-unned, rey-usted, rey-adyWed Mar 30 1994 09:353
    I have a set of Open4CD's.  they survive well, even in Mass.
    
    ed
971.16Mine are GreatNEMAIL::BUXTONWed Mar 30 1994 16:573
    ditto .14 and .15 - they hold true real well.
    
    rb
971.17HYLNDR::OUELLETTEBuddy OuelletteWed Mar 30 1994 16:586
Thanks for the replies, Chip and Ed.  I feel a little better about my choice
of rims, now.  Now, if the potholes, sand, and puddles would just go away,
I'd feel even better :-)

-Buddy
971.18NOVA::FISHERTay-unned, rey-usted, rey-adyThu Mar 31 1994 08:5810
    keep dreaming.  :-)
    
    better yet, live dangerously...
    
    I put nearly 1000 miles on my Open4CD's in March
    
    
    In Texas.
    
    ed
971.19STRATA::HUIThu Mar 31 1994 13:208

The Mavic MA40 and Open 4CD is all I used and have not had any trouble. I am
kind of bummed I sold the O4CD with the C-dale this winter :-( I guess I will
just have to build a new set :-)


Dave
971.20UpdateHYLNDR::OUELLETTEBuddy OuelletteTue May 31 1994 17:3318
An update...

I've been riding on my new wheels (Mavic Open 4CD rims with Shimano Ultegra
hubs) for a few weeks now, and I like them a lot.  I had them built with
double-butted spokes (32h) and put a pair of Continental GP 23 mm tires on
them.  No problems with bumps, potholes, etc.  Just as tough as my older,
wider rims.

FYI -

The shop used an 8 speed hub for the rear, even though my old setup was
7 speed.  I was given a washer to slide onto the freehub body before sliding
the 7 speed cassette on.  I have a steel frame and the wheel went on with just
a little extra persuasion.  It shifts as good as the old setup.  I'm glad I'm
using an 8 speed hub now, since I'll just need shift levers and a new
derailler to go to eight speed.  Maybe next year.

-Buddy