View Full Version : Araya RC-540 rims
waychel
03-20-2009, 12:03 PM
Is anybody riding these? I saw a listing for them on eBay, and they look really nice. And they're light, too! (415g claimed)
Available in the USA?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40012508@N00/125057930
Ken Robb
03-20-2009, 02:44 PM
Rivendell used them on many of their builds including their Romulus model which was sold as an almost-complete bike. We own the last Romulus prototype built prior to the regular production run. It's Leslie's and she is very easy on bikes but none-the-less the wheels do look good and we have done nothing to them for maintenance or repairs. As you can see in the photo they do not have machined sidewalls but the braking seems fine anyway.
Grant cracked that these sidewalls were not pre-worn out and you were getting all the sidewall you paid for. :)
Grant McLean
03-20-2009, 03:09 PM
I bought several sets from Japan, mostly for use on track bikes.
Nice finish, and they built up easily... straight, round, all that.
I don't think they're as light as they say... try not to act too shocked
that printed weight isn't real...
They are about 19mm wide, a little narrow for my preference for all around use.
-g
fiamme red
03-20-2009, 03:12 PM
I don't think they're as light as they say... try not to act too shocked that printed weight isn't real...But compared to an Open Pro, let's say, there isn't much difference in weight? Are they inferior to an Open Pro in any other way?
Grant McLean
03-20-2009, 04:22 PM
But compared to an Open Pro, let's say, there isn't much difference in weight? Are they inferior to an Open Pro in any other way?
I guess it depends what you mean by inferior.
they're rims. they hold the spokes and tires, and go round and round.
they are "inferior" to Open pros on paper - the alloy is weaker, they don't
have a weleded seam, and the sidewalls aren't machined.... all things that
theoretically make a better rim, but does it really matter? not really.
-g
fiamme red
03-20-2009, 04:27 PM
I guess it depends what you mean by inferior.
they're rims. they hold the spokes and tires, and go round and round.
they are "inferior" to Open pros on paper - the alloy is weaker, they don't
have a weleded seam, and the sidewalls aren't machined.... all things that
theoretically make a better rim, but does it really matter? not really.
-gThanks! I have many miles on the Arayas on my Romulus, and they've held up well so far, after the rear wheel was re-trued. I was considering replacing them with Open Pro/Ultegra wheels (which I thought were lighter), but I think I'll wait till the rims wear out.
Louis
03-20-2009, 07:36 PM
they are "inferior" to Open pros on paper - the alloy is weaker, they don't have a weleded seam, and the sidewalls aren't machined.... all things that theoretically make a better rim, but does it really matter? not really.
I've had a cheapo Matrix rim that was pinned and eventually went bad at the joint. I'd get a clunk, clunk, clunk when braking as the joint went through the pads. I concluded then that welded was better than pinned, but who knows how many train tracks I slammed that poor thing over. (Had a set at the bottom of a local hill.) I've had MA2's MA40's (sleeved) that seem to last forever.
If the price is right try them.
vBulletin® v3.8.7, Copyright ©2000-2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.