Aluminum Tubular Disc Rims

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OJ
Posts: 877
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2006 5:25 pm
Location: Winterpeg

by OJ

Any aluminum tubular disc (non-machined) rims out in the marketplace? Or even wheels for 15mm thru front and 12x142 rear? Price difference between alu and carbon would help when trying to get two sets built.
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by Weenie


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jooo
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Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2011 3:48 am

by jooo

HED does a non-machined Belgium. It's not exactly cheap - almost the same price as Chinese carbon.

Velocity does a non-machined Major Tom and from memory sold non-machined Escapes at one stage (for track wheels). Most of the Escapes seem to be long gone though and they probably aren't the most suitable rims anyway.

I'm not sure if anyone sells the KinLin TB-20 or TB-25 with non-machined sidewalls, but that could also be worth a look.

If you're happy with a more classic look, there's nothing stopping you from using something like an Ambrosio Nemesis. They're basically non-machined and would look great on some bikes. The same could be said for a whole bunch of other rims like a Mavic Reflex or lots of hard anodized NOS offerings, provided they're not super-light.

My pick would be the BOR/FRM XMD 309. It's lighter and cheaper than the HED. You're also quite likely to find it pre-built with thru-axle hubs seeing as the rim does double duty on some 29er's.

bikewithnoname
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by bikewithnoname

Nemesis, job done
"We live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities." Oscar Wilde

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StradaJon
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by StradaJon

The BOR 309 is a good choice for a race day wheel - it is light and asymmetric so holds tension better than expected. Can be hard to get hold of depending on if you are EU or North American based.
Strada Hand Built Wheels
http://www.stradawheels.co.uk

OJ
Posts: 877
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2006 5:25 pm
Location: Winterpeg

by OJ

I ended up ordering complete wheels with BOR 309's. I'll report back how they hold up.
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Subira
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Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2009 10:42 pm

by Subira

I used the BORs through last winter as my race day wheels, agree that they are light and strong. The rim is quite wide so extra time needs to be taken in getting the tub on nice and straight - but once they are glued up they are perfect.

OJ
Posts: 877
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2006 5:25 pm
Location: Winterpeg

by OJ

Got the wheels and did my first race on them last Saturday. The wheels were great, I sucked big time. FMB tubulars are quite loose on the rims, which makes easier gluing, but hopefully will not mean higher risk of rolling a tubular. Hubs are Novatec's, but might get a second set with Hope rear hub. Through axle 11spd compatible hubs are kind of hard to come by.

Wheels shipped to Canada with no problems at all.
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by Weenie


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