What are good aluminum clincher rims these days?

[Lewis Moon]

It's been a while since I've built a really sporty set of wheels. What's a great, lightish 700c clincher rim that can be readily had for, say, under $125 each? I need relatively "narrow" rims because 25c tires are as big as I can run on my bike. That means an inner width of less than 20mm. A set of NOS Hed Belgiums in the older, narrower width would be great. Does anyone still stock them?

[fredd]

If you dont want it to be as wide as possible, I'd say go dt r460. Can be had for just over $40 and seem to fit the rest of your requirements.

[fika]

https://pacenticycledesign.com/collections/rims

[LeMond123]

I like my Pacenti Brevet (box) 650b rims on my namesake, built up nicely. Also have the Forzas (V) right at 20mm inner. (Forza also comes in rim brake asym for rear).

H Plus Son makes some nice looking ones that generally get good reviews. TB14 (box) and Archetype (V). Probably right around that inner width or maybe a little less?

[Nessism]

If you dont want it to be as wide as possible, I'd say go dt r460. Can be had for just over $40 and seem to fit the rest of your requirements.

Can't go wrong with these. They have an excellent reputation and are cheap.

[Peter P.]

I'm big on off-center rear rims.

I've used, and currently use, Velocity A23s and have no complaints.

I'd recommend any Mavic rim as I've used them almost exclusively for decades as well. Alas, they don't have an off-center offering but besides that I'm told they're having financial troubles right now making it hard to come by Mavic rims. If you can get them, I'd recommend any of their products.

DT Swiss R411s look good because they have an off-center rear rim. I haven't tried them, however.

[Lewis Moon]

If you dont want it to be as wide as possible, I'd say go dt r460. Can be had for just over $40 and seem to fit the rest of your requirements.
I've had several sets of those but I'm kinda over sleeve jointed rims. I'm on my third joint failure. ( one DT, one Mavic, one Velocity) I would like a welded joint if possible. The Pacentis fit that bill.

[El Chaba]

Ambrosio Excellence. I have only built two sets of wheels with these, both for friends in the area. Both sets have held up perfectly for about two and four years. I like Ambrosio rims and they always seem to be well made and straight and always build up very easily. I like these rims enough that I bought a pair for myself and I am not sure when I will use them as I am mostly on tubulars.

[AngryScientist]

Ambrosio Excellence. I have only built two sets of wheels with these, both for friends in the area. Both sets have held up perfectly for about two and four years. I like Ambrosio rims and they always seem to be well made and straight and always build up very easily. I like these rims enough that I bought a pair for myself and I am not sure when I will use them as I am mostly on tubulars.

Are those still in production?

The new Mavic Open Pro USTs are pretty nice rims. Velocity Quills are excellent too. Hard to go wrong with any of the H+Son offerings.

[maxcolumbus]

Shamal Ultras are my go to.

[Mr B]

I can’t fault my Archetypes but come rebuild time I may give Velocity Quills a try. They look like a good modern aero rim.
Kinda wish WI would add rim-brake variants to their lineup, but understand why they may never.

[El Chaba]

Are those still in production?

The new Mavic Open Pro USTs are pretty nice rims. Velocity Quills are excellent too. Hard to go wrong with any of the H+Son offerings.

Yes. You can get them from ciclicorsa.com.

[dustyrider]

I like my dt rr411 in 28 hole asymmetrical rear. I’m in the 180lbs club at my heaviest and they’ve been solid performers. I also ride the slightly older rr440 in 32 hole asymmetrical rear. I’m not sure if the latter are still available…but there is very little difference in feel on the same bike. I usually use the “lighter” set on the plastic bike and the “heavier” set on the metal bike.

[54ny77]

This.

Less than $400 bucks for a set handmade in U.S.: "$367.38 Save an additional $36.74 with coupon code FALL"

https://www.coloradocyclist.com/shimano-105-r7000-custom-handbuilt-wheelset-with-velocity-a23-rims-700c

I still have a couple sets of CC-built Mavic and DT clinchers going on at least a decade old. Well built, never an issue (knock on wood).

[oldpotatoe]

It's been a while since I've built a really sporty set of wheels. What's a great, lightish 700c clincher rim that can be readily had for, say, under $125 each? I need relatively "narrow" rims because 25c tires are as big as I can run on my bike. That means an inner width of less than 20mm. A set of NOS Hed Belgiums in the older, narrower width would be great. Does anyone still stock them?

DT411
DT460
H+Son Archetype
Velocity Quill
Velocity A23

[proxient]

h=+son archetype & velocity a23s have been great in my experience.

[citycyclist247]

I just asked a similar question.

https://www.bikeinn.com/bike/mavic-open-pro-c-rim/136238887/p

Gonna get a set of these. Plus there’s a 15% discount.

[Lewis Moon]

I just asked a similar question.

https://www.bikeinn.com/bike/mavic-open-pro-c-rim/136238887/p

Gonna get a set of these. Plus there’s a 50% discount.

Wow, that's a smoking deal.

[CZ413]

Agree with all the previous posts suggesting H+Son Archetypes. I have three different wheelsets with those rims, including one with 25K+ miles on it. If you don’t need tubeless, they’re smooth, fast, and indestructible in my experience. (Have ridden all three sets on tons of gravel, off road, light singletrack, etc.) The set with 25K+ miles still shows plenty of life on the wear indicators.

[David in Maine]

My Astral Solstice rims have been great. A little pricey but MUSA.

Davis