Best Clincher Rim?

[reuben]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

it's my opinion that the Easton R90SL is the best alloy clincher rim out there right now.

That's another thing. Back when clip in pedals, 6 cog freewheels, and index shifting first appeared (mid to late '80s), there was no such thing as a tubleless clincher. You either ran clinchers or tubulars.

That's a whole 'nuther ball o' wax I gotta figure out. For now I'm running old style clinchers with tubes.

[reuben]

And if it makes any difference I'm thinkin' rim brakes.

[muz]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

it's my opinion that the Easton R90SL is the best alloy clincher rim out there right now. The HED Belgium+ is also nice, but it's more expensive and not better quality than the Easton.

This is an often repeated argument, but not really true. I am trying to decide between these two rims in 28h, the best prices I find are:

Hed Belgium Plus: $135.99
Easton R90SL: $127.49

I would call this a wash. HED is slightly wider, so that's what I am leaning to.

[yinzerniner]

Originally Posted by reuben

I've been out of the loop for 30 years. Back in the day it was hard to find someone who didn't have at least one pair of Mavics, and they were all over the tours and classics.

Can you enlighten me, or point me to a good source of enlightenment?

Here you go:
https://road.cc/content/news/mavic-r...it-come-273345
https://cyclingtips.com/2020/05/mavi...hem-who-knows/
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pot...roubled-mavic/

They announced a whole slew of updated rims and wheels in 2019 but apparently their ownership quagmire totally upended any plans for a smooth rollout of their new product.
https://bikerumor.com/2019/03/15/mav...gravel-wheels/

[NONN]

Originally Posted by mcteague

November Bicycles has a blog post out today on the shrinking clincher rim offerings.

https://novemberbicycles.com/blogs/b...have-a-problem

Tim

Wow, a very interesting article; I didn't even consider an absence of aluminum clincher rims.

For me, there is something nice about custom hubs and durable wheels - I appreciate that disc wheels are the present and future; however, there are some nice things out there to warrant regular rims, including EEbrakes and overall bike-look preference.

I've entertained the idea of Carbon clinchers but a major premium for sure (e.g., CK wheelsets with HED+ are $1K vs. $3K with ENVE) - I'm on board for justifying high zoot wheels, just can't shake the "wear" potential. A quick look on Ebay suggests the brake surface of carbon rims is finite and that these wheelsets are often a "second set."

As mentioned, all of these things are in some part related to riding conditions, and the skills of the wheel builder - appreciate the discussion

[yinzerniner]

Originally Posted by muz

This is an often repeated argument, but not really true. I am trying to decide between these two rims in 28h, the best prices I find are:

Hed Belgium Plus: $135.99
Easton R90SL: $127.49

I would call this a wash. HED is slightly wider, so that's what I am leaning to.

HED is a bit wider, with Easton being a bit deeper. And MSRP is a little different than current availability, as Belgium Plus is $165 and R90SL is $150.
https://store.hedcycling.com/belgium...rake-clincher/
https://eastoncycling.com/products/r...29642175021165

Having owned both I actually liked the Easton design a bit better, but if you plan on using them with 28mm+ tires the extra mm of width might help a smidge. Can't go wrong with either, excellent rims.

[reuben]

Originally Posted by yinzerniner

Here you go:
https://road.cc/content/news/mavic-r...it-come-273345
https://cyclingtips.com/2020/05/mavi...hem-who-knows/
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pot...roubled-mavic/

Great googly moogly!!! That's a stinkin' pile o' mess right there!

Given my past and my 30 year hiatus, I feel like Rip Van Winkle, waking up to find Mr. Magoo walking on the moon!

[Velocipede]

Another great option is Astral. The Astral rims are the same as what Rolf Prima uses for their wheels. AND they are made in the US.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by reuben

Without hijacking too much, I've been pondering a set for all around use - roads only (not MTB or CX). 700C, probably 28 hole. Just a good reliable pair of alloy clincher rims, not necessarily aero or anything. I've considered:

DT Swiss RR 411
Mavic CXP Elite
Mavic Open Pro C

Thoughts?

Thanks.

DT411 GREAT rims but light, lace appropriately with 'appropriate' spokes.
Stay away from anything Mavic..not only because of their ownership woes but far better rims out there.

Velocity Quill, A23
If not tubeless-H+Son Archetypes

[maslow]

As much as I like the HED Belgium plus rims I think the Easton R90SL rims are easily as good (& cheaper), and second to that the DT Swiss 460.

Feel free to make fun of this but I still love the ride of Ambrosio’s Excellence rims (with 28mm veloflex masters). But realise narrow box section rims probably don’t look so good on modern carbon and aluminium bikes.

[muz]

Originally Posted by Velocipede

Another great option is Astral. The Astral rims are the same as what Rolf Prima uses for their wheels. AND they are made in the US.

Doesn't look like they have any road rims for rim brakes.

[RoosterCogset]

Very interesting to note that everyone is suggesting alloy clincher options, nothing carbon fiber. I've heard great things about the Campy WTO options fwiw.

EDIT: Sorry, looking for options to build up (vs. factory)? Lightbicycle comes to mind if CF is at all being considered or if OP wants any aero depth?

[ColonelJLloyd]

Originally Posted by muz

Doesn't look like they have any road rims for rim brakes.

https://www.prowheelbuilder.com/rims...tral-rolf.html

[jkbrwn]

Originally Posted by muz

Doesn't look like they have any road rims for rim brakes.

They do.

https://astralcycling.com/collection...alloy-clincher

[muz]

Originally Posted by jkbrwn

They do.

https://astralcycling.com/collection...alloy-clincher

LOL. Very poor web design. Listed as "SOLSTICE & SOLSTICE DISC RIM" and "RADIANT & RADIANT DISC RIM". So when I scanned their website looking for non-disc rims, I just skipped over both.