Am I crazy for considering these rims?

[sean]

42mm Carbon Clinchers (http://cgi.ebay.com/Road-Bike-Carbon-Clincher-700C-Wheel-Rims-32-32-/280600114439?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item415511f507#ht_1277wt_1046
)


I know they say you get what you pay for... But I'm cheap and it's a great price.

Thinking of building them up to ultegra hubs for a cross wheelset, is that just totally insane? Am I letting my frugal side get the best of me? Is this a disaster waiting to happen?

[crownjewelwl]

i think ur nutz :no:

[false_Aest]

Go over to weight weenies.

A bunch of those guys have bought em from that same seller.

Very few complaints from what I've seen.

Possible negatives:
not as aero as "legit" stuff
higher weight variances
not as round or straight as other rims
bad communication with sellers
they don't say Zipp or Enve or Edge or Reynolds

[alexstar]

It says that they are aluminum with a carbon wrap - does that mean a carbon fairing on a box rim, or an aluminum deep-V rim with a cosmetic carbon veneer?

At 620 g, I think it's the latter. I wouldn't buy them.

[dave thompson]

I've purchased stuff from Maniac-Bicycle before. His communications are muddy (English is definitely not his first, or second language) nothing bad, just can be drawn out and somewhat frustrating.

[DRZRM]

That's pretty heavy for a faux-carbon rim. If you are getting aluminum rims, just get aluminum rims. Velocity A-23 if you want a bit of extra width or Deep V if you want depth will both be lighter, stronger and cheaper.

[duke]

Carbon decorated aluminum.... How about Kinlin 30mm alu rims at about 460 gms and about $50.00. Same aero, lighter and cheaper.
duke

[sean]

First and foremost. Thanks all.

Second, it's apparent that I get excited and don't read. I totally missed the carbon wrap thing. So yes, it would make more sense to go with an aluminum rim if it's literally just a carbon decal I could bust out on my own.

For some reason though, I though I remembered seeing generic carbon rims (real carbon) on ebay. I'll got back and check, then will report!

[sean]

THESE (http://cgi.ebay.com/Full-Carbon-Wheel-Rims-700C-38mm-Brake-Pads-H20-24-/280598124809?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4154f39909#ht_1746wt_1046)

Are what I was thinking of. Apparently they can make a clincher version too.

[SoCalSteve]

THESE (http://cgi.ebay.com/Full-Carbon-Wheel-Rims-700C-38mm-Brake-Pads-H20-24-/280598124809?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4154f39909#ht_1746wt_1046)

Are what I was thinking of. Apparently they can make a clincher version too.

Looks like those are the clincher version....I mean, it does say "c" in the model number designation...

[Louis]

After adding in the shipping costs it's not as attractive.

[PaulE]

I took a flyer and bought a pair of carbon fiber water bottle cages from one of those Hong Kong eBay vendors. They look and work great. A friend of mine also did and he is happy with his. But I splurged a grand total of $38 including shipping and if they didn't work out, there was no risk to my life and minimal cash outlay.

Even if the rims don't fail underneath you as you're bombing down some hill, how are you going to feel about investing $ in spokes that may likely be specific to these rims only, not to mention all of your time spent building up these wheels. Especially if you spend hours and hours and still can't get them true and round. Or they won't stay true and round through a single ride. Or maybe the rims are round and build up ok, but they are hopelessly out of balance due to internal material variances around the rim. Or the rim has a different size ERD at every opposing pair of spoke holes and you have to account for that in coming up with the proper spokes to get the wheel round. Well, maybe some of this is a bit far-fetched. But it seems there have been a lot of great deals on pre-built name brand carbon fiber wheelsets in the past month. When you consider the cost of these rims, shipping, hubs and spokes, maybe some of those would be a better deal?

[sean]

who's the downer?! ;)

Naw, that totally makes sense. I'm glad you guys are around to kill the impulse buy in me.

Thanks for talking me down.

I'll just keep refreshing bonktown and dept of goods!