Conference noted::bicycle

    
    
    Just to let you know, I ordered a pair of Campy Omega's from Bike
    Nashbar and they cost $59. They are still in the box so I don't
    have any info on performance.
    
    
    Joe

    In an earlier note I described the ordeal I had with Campy Omega
    Strada's.  Maybe I got hold of a bad set, but if not, most/all Kevlar
    bead clinchers are unmountable on them.  
    
    I sent mine back and built a pair of Nashbar UC19's.  Lightweight
    and cheap, we'll see about performance this spring.
    

< Note 971.0 by CUJO::LEBLANC >
                         -< Lightweight clincher rims >-

I just bought a bike with Araya CTL-370's, so I'll have some impressions 
sometime this spring.  One warning:  REI, from whom I bought the bike, has had 
problems with machine-built wheels using these rims.  It appears that the 
spokes were over-tensioned and the spokes pulled thru the rim.  I saw one of 
the rims and it is not a pretty sight.  I'd hate to have one of these break on 
me while riding.  My wheels were hand-built and there's apparently a new batch 
of rims with improvements to prevent this from happening.  I'm a little leery 
of these rims, but we'll see how it goes.

Kevin

< Note 971.3 by NAC::KLASMAN >

> One warning:  REI, from whom I bought the bike, has had 
> problems with machine-built wheels using these rims.  It appears that the 
> spokes were over-tensioned and the spokes pulled thru the rim.  I saw one of 
> the rims and it is not a pretty sight.  

This quote from Bicycling June 88 issue (where I got the table in 971.0)

" Araya CTL-370: this was the only sub-400-gram rim available for testing. It
has a "box" or square cross-section. Its light weight is achieved through
thinner rimm walls and the use of a single grommet on the top or face of the
rim to provide a nipple seat and to spread the spoke load over a greater area.
This grommet replaces the conventional full ferrule that engages the bed
(covered by the rim strip) and face of the rim.
  Prior to lacing we noticed a slight pucker around the spoke holes. When the
wheel was tensioned, this deformation became slightly more pronounced. 
Although this shouldn't be a problem unless the alloys's elastic limit was
exceeded, it did make us uncomfortable. The deformation probabley occurred 
during drilling or, more likely, grommet installation, since the valve hole 
(which lacks a grommet) was not deformed. So far, however, we haven't noticed
any loosening of the spokes, and indicator of permanent deformation.  ...."

     Perhaps the modified grommets are the reason the spokes were pulling 
through.  I want to get a clincher that approaches the weight of medium
sew-up but not at the price of sturdiness.  It seems that some of the 
manufacturters are pushing the technology a little far.  I think what I
want is a rim that is light but sturdy too.  Am I in a dream?  Maybe.

    Light (fairly), Sturdy (Supports my 225 lbs. over back roads), and
    Reasonably Priced ($119.00 pair w/Shimano 600 ex hubs) = MAVIC MA40's
    They are not *aero* but you can't go wrong on quality and dependability
    at any price.
    						Jerry

I second the endorsement of Mavic MA40.  Another thing about Mavic is their
guaranty.  If you should break one of their rims, as I did, they will not only
replace the rim but pay the labor cost to relace the wheel.

    Recently got MA40's with my new bike - they've done just fine.
    They are 32-hole rims, which seems a good compromise.
        
    -john

>    Recently got MA40's with my new bike - they've done just fine.
>    They are 32-hole rims, which seems a good compromise.
        
I have Mavics on my touring bike and I agree that they are very good rims.
My goal is to find the rim that is lighter than the ma40.  The price on
the Nashbar lightweight rim looks real good; about $18 - $19 each.  I am
tempted to try them at that price.  I weigh about 160 lbs. and am not that
fierce a sprinter or hill climber.  I wonder if they would hold up.  One 
of the other considerations used by the magazine testers is the hardness
of the anodizing and how it stands up to brake pad wear. 

Well just a few more thoughts but no decision yet.

Steven Le Blanc

    
    I have a pair of MA40's which I am very pleased with , and bought
    a pair of Mavic Open CD4's on Shimano 600 hubs with flat spokes
    radially at the front and radial,two cross for the rear.
    
    I use them mostly for Time-Trials and improved all my times last
    year !!(As this was my second year......)
    
    I am very pleased with them , but remember you will have to 
    incline your brake blocks slightly for a flush fit on the rims.
    
    Cheers Dave Donnelly.
    
    P.S. Any other U.K. Time trial people out there??
    

    I too have recently bought a new bike and chose MA40's. Only have
    trainer experience - no road (I live in Ma). I'm really glad to
    hear all the positives though!
    
    Chip

< Note 971.10 by WMOIS::C_GIROUARD >
                                  -< MA40'S >-

I've used MA40's for racing for several years and find them to be very tough. 
I really think I can go to a lighter wheel for racing and use them for 
training. (I'm 137 lbs)

Kevin

    I'm running between 167-170lbs. I did look at MAVIC's 4CD's and
    they scared me a bit. They are so thin and light. But everyone is
    right. The rim was set up on a MAVIC hub and a wind trainer (just
    the rim) and thing would spinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn forever.
    
    I just envisioned myself eating pavement on the first of a million
    bumps I'd hit in Gardner, ma.
    
    Am I paranoid or should you be very careful when getting into
    the "ultra-light" categories?
    
    Chip

I just ordered a set of new wheels with Mavic Open 4CD rims and Shimano
Ultegra 600 hubs from my local bike shop.  I was torn between the MA40 or
Open 4CD and decided to go with the Open 4CD because it wasn't that much
more expensive and was more aero.  My reason for ordering them was to provide
myself with a quality set of wheels for fast recreational riding and
occaisional racing.  My current stock wheels will be used as backups.

After reading some earlier replies about how light and narrow these rims are
and how one might not feel too comfortable with them on bumpy roads, I'm
wondering if I made the wrong choice.  I ride in Mass where some of the roads
can be in pretty tough shape.

They've been ordered, but not built yet.

Any comments?

     Been runnin' 'em for years with no problem. They hold true extremely
     well. I live in an area where the road surface quality IS NOT any
     towns priority.
    
     You'll be pleased with them.
    
     Chip
                                                     

    I have a set of Open4CD's.  they survive well, even in Mass.
    
    ed

    ditto .14 and .15 - they hold true real well.
    
    rb

Thanks for the replies, Chip and Ed.  I feel a little better about my choice
of rims, now.  Now, if the potholes, sand, and puddles would just go away,
I'd feel even better :-)

-Buddy

    keep dreaming.  :-)
    
    better yet, live dangerously...
    
    I put nearly 1000 miles on my Open4CD's in March
    
    
    In Texas.
    
    ed

The Mavic MA40 and Open 4CD is all I used and have not had any trouble. I am
kind of bummed I sold the O4CD with the C-dale this winter :-( I guess I will
just have to build a new set :-)


Dave

An update...

I've been riding on my new wheels (Mavic Open 4CD rims with Shimano Ultegra
hubs) for a few weeks now, and I like them a lot.  I had them built with
double-butted spokes (32h) and put a pair of Continental GP 23 mm tires on
them.  No problems with bumps, potholes, etc.  Just as tough as my older,
wider rims.

FYI -

The shop used an 8 speed hub for the rear, even though my old setup was
7 speed.  I was given a washer to slide onto the freehub body before sliding
the 7 speed cassette on.  I have a steel frame and the wheel went on with just
a little extra persuasion.  It shifts as good as the old setup.  I'm glad I'm
using an 8 speed hub now, since I'll just need shift levers and a new
derailler to go to eight speed.  Maybe next year.

-Buddy