Another “First World Problem”

[maj]

Well, not really a problem at all but there’s nowhere else to turn. My wife just doesn’t get it and is just rolling her eyes, so she’s no help.

I pulled my 1996 De Rosa Primato out and, typical of my travels down the road of excess, I have four sets of wheels for it and I’m curious to see what others think of how each of three of those sets match up with the soul of the bike. With the wealth of knowledge and aesthetic sense here, I’m just hoping to gather opinions from passionate enthusiasts who might not have anything better to do.

Except for the bar tape, the bike 100% Italian goodness so the wheels have to speak the same language and have similar breeding. I really am interested in any opinions. It may be necessary to cover one’s left eye since I was too lazy to swap the rear wheel for each but anyway, the choices are:

Campy Mexico. The original rim spec’d for the 1996 was the Campy Moskva but the Mexico is a slightly heavier sister of the same vintage with the same profile and is the closest that I could get NOS.
https://i.imgur.com/nvvFFR1.jpg?1


Campy Atlanta 1996. Not Shamal but they do say 1996 and they were much cheaper.
https://i.imgur.com/S6S4ULr.jpg?2


Ambrosio Nemesis because they’re tubular and kind of bad-ass.
https://i.imgur.com/Bjltj6r.jpg?1

[gbcoupe]

A, with black sidewalls (and tread).

[redir]

Dang dude! I can see why you cam here asking for advice, this is not an easy decision. IF those were Shamal's it would be even better, but those are the ones I like right off the top of my head.

[stackie]

When Nemesis is a choice, Nemesis is always the answer.

Jon

[m_sasso]

A quick pick of my imported rossa Italian by way of Canada with Mexico's, as a matching everyday wheel they are the correct depth and weight, just loose the white walls. Or the Atlanta's.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/honda-tech.com-vbulletin/2000x1333/80-img_1853_067b5d803fd246fe47afd6de3f81c1f2a0468d21. jpeg

[sleepyfelix]

+1 for the Nemesis.

[Elefantino]

Which set rides better?

[oldpotatoe]

Well, not really a problem at all but there’s nowhere else to turn. My wife just doesn’t get it and is just rolling her eyes, so she’s no help.

I pulled my 1996 De Rosa Primato out and, typical of my travels down the road of excess, I have four sets of wheels for it and I’m curious to see what others think of how each of three of those sets match up with the soul of the bike. With the wealth of knowledge and aesthetic sense here, I’m just hoping to gather opinions from passionate enthusiasts who might not have anything better to do.

Except for the bar tape, the bike 100% Italian goodness so the wheels have to speak the same language and have similar breeding. I really am interested in any opinions. It may be necessary to cover one’s left eye since I was too lazy to swap the rear wheel for each but anyway, the choices are:

Ambrosio Nemesis because they’re tubular and kind of bad-ass.
https://i.imgur.com/Bjltj6r.jpg?1

Case closed...:)

[Gsinill]

I like Nemesis, have them on 3 bikes.
Problem though is the color. Not a lot out there if you are into matching stuff like I am.
Can't pair it with any components, so unless the frame color complements the tint of the rims you are out of luck IMHO.
2 of the bikes I use them on are green and the third is black with green accents they look good on those.

I actually bought up 3 NOS sets of Campagnolo Barcelona rims from a really good eBay seller in Italy (no affiliation just had multiple good experiences).
Silver and tubular. Maybe not as good as the Nemesis but for my recreational rides good enough.
Those are the ones on the Mezzatesta in the other 1st World thread BTW.

He still has some left (https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-CAMPAGNOLO-BARCELONA-92-RIMS-28-700c-32H-VINTAGE-TUBULAR-90S-ROAD-NEW-OLD/303142546677) and I think he accepted 100 bucks.

[fmradio516]

Case closed...:)

while we're on the subject, whats the clincher version of the nemesis that comes in silver or dark ano gray?

[OtayBW]

My opinion: Ambrosio Nemesis, keep it simple, and forget the matchy-matchy sidewalls and fluff. White or black housing and I like the wh/wh saddle/tape. ;)

[Tickdoc]

Looks? Atlanta looks great on that beautiful bike with the red and the white and the silver.

Ride and toughness? Ambrosio all day everyday.

I've got a set of those Mexicos and they are super smooth but heavy.

[maj]

Which set rides better?

I think Ticdoc sized up the ride comparison nicely. Once upon a time, I understand that this was a Saab team bike, it came to me with nice Mavic rims that ride really really well with general purpose tires. l didn’t include them in the OP because..well.........they’re French and I’m shooting for all Italian. Here’s a photo below of the bike just after a light restoration with the correct pedals.

Seems like there’s not much love for white walls.

Gsinill, thanks for the link, I did consider the Barcelona’s and kind of wish I’d gone with them for the tubular option but when I found a new Nemesis set, I went that way just because of their “legend” and rarity anymore. I was thinking that Roubaix rims might be overkill for this bike - like a ballerina wearing combat boots but that can be a sexy look too and they do ride smooth. That seller also has a nice set of Shamals built up with Record hubs.

Thanks for all of the input, I’d love to hear more.

https://i.imgur.com/G4vRqUH.jpg