So, long ago I bought this nice yellow Vivalo frame from koteigear with the intention of building it up all classy-like.
However, I’ve been reticent to start the wheelbuild since I am at an impasse when it comes to rim choice!
I’d love to find a 36h box section clincher rim in polished silver. I can’t seem to find one that I like readily,* so unless you want to sell me your Mavic MA-2s, my options are really Open Pros (blech, ugly matte finish!), some low profile Velocity rim in their bright silver finish, or the only deep V-section rim I am feelin’: mirror polished Rigida DP18.
My inclination is to go with the Rigidas, however since they don’t import to the US, I’d have to source them internationally, or find them on eBay (which I did yesterday for a BIN of $115, plus $35 shipping). But deep vs are so played out, and heavy, and maybe wouldn’t look right on this ride that will be otherwise grown n’ sexy: outfitted with mostly NJS components and gumwall tires.
The wheels could be built tomorrow with Open Pros if I decide to settle for that option…I just wish they came shinier so they’d look like Arayas or something. I’ve been waiting for my dream rim option to come into the picture, but thus far no dice. On one hand, I’ve had this frame since July and want to get it built up already, but on the other, I want to do it right with rims I won’t feel bummed about in the long run.
So would you go with the shiny Rigidas that are deep profile, or boxy Open Pros with an ugly satin finish? Price is more or less the same, rims seem comparable in quality.
*yeah, I know about Sun MKII14s, in fact I have them on my daily beater but they’re not…nice enough for this new build.
Open Pros are awesome. I have two OP wheelsets and love them both. A girl at the co-op I work at just got (for free) an older Kestrel Carbon road bike with full Dura-Ace Mavic Reflex rims laced to DA hubs and double-butted spokes. I guess at one point Mavic made the Reflex in both tubular and clincher versions. If you can find some old Reflex rims, they could be exactly what you’re looking for. They have a reflective surface with a kind of silvery-golden finish. More of a silvery finish with a slight golden tint, I guess. They seem a lot like my OPs, but with a very slightly different shape, I think. I haven’t held them next to each other, though. I’m trying to convince her to sell them to me, but it’s a little difficult to do, seeing as there’s not really much in that for her.
I just got my girl a set of Formula/DP-18s and they’re heavy, but not impressively so. I didn’t put them on the scale, but they weigh about as much as my Dura Ace/Pro Elite track racing wheels.
[quote=“frankstoneline”]H+Sons
Super deep rims, as light as open pros, certainly not played out,
or maybe some NOS campy rims.[/quote]
Yeah, what’s cool about the Rigidas is they’re like a poor man’s Shamal or Atlanta 96. I still look every week for NOS Mavic MA-2s since that’s exactly what I am looking for, but I know they are hard to find and pricey too. Maybe I’ll just get some Arayas.
Hm. My old wheelset was Suzue ProMax SB/Velocity Deep V. I got sick of the lime green and took them apart when I moved to NYC and replaced them with Formula/Sun MKII14, I did notice my bike’s a bit lighter.
I do like this idea. Have you done this before? I looked around to see if anyone’s polished an Open Pro before and didn’t find anything, but I have known people to polish Deep Vs…
[quote=“frankstoneline”]H+Sons
Super deep rims, as light as open pros, certainly not played out,
or maybe some NOS campy rims.[/quote]
OMG those are sick! I’ve seen a black set on CL here for pretty $$ but less than ordering from them I guess. Part of me wants to be over the deep rim thing, but they just look so amazing. Maybes not on a fluorescent mustard yellow Vivalo Special, though.
I knew I’d heard the name Rigida before, but couldn’t remember where. Then when nuvo mentioned France, I recalled that Rigida made the rims that were originally on my Trek before I bought it some track wheels.
Here’s a label similar to the ones on said wheels (much classier than modern day crazy rim labels, in my opinion.)
I do like this idea. Have you done this before? I looked around to see if anyone’s polished an Open Pro before and didn’t find anything, but I have known people to polish Deep Vs…[/quote]
I got a rim professionally de-ano’d / polished. It was like $30 if I remember right and came back mirror finish. You can do it yourself though with fine grit sandpaper, deanodizing chemicals (Easy Off oven cleaner or lye), polish compound (Simichrome, Mother’s) and elbow grease.
