Best rims for a tandem??

Kirky

Hi all, I'm in need of a bit of advice.

I've recently got my hands on a bit of a bargin of a Dawes Galaxy tandem frame + bits - which is basically missing the forks, wheels, stoker bars and a saddle or two. Through my company I can source a very nice pair of carbon 700c disk mount front forks (currently got a set on my winter bike and they're fantasic!!) so now just need to sort out the wheels.

I'll be building them myself and will probably use hubs that I can source, the question is what rims - and how many spokes!! I want to keep the v-brakes on the back (as well as front / rear Avid cable pull road disks) to act as an additional stoker brake so they need to be rims compatible with 'normal' braking. But other than that - what would you recommend??

I would assume it's better to go 36 hole too??

Many thanks

KIRKY

Steve928

We have 36H Rigida Laser 40s on our tandem - I've been very impressed with the amount of abuse they take and also with the lack of rim wear from the hydraulic rim brakes.
They're not a current model, but if/when they need replacing I'll be going for Rigida Sputniks:
http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... 2b9s116p67

Nice and strong, double eyelets, double wall.

Of course it depends on what type of riding you're going to do, all-up weight, what tyre width etc.

rdaviesb

We are using DRC rims - 36H ST19's. Built by Paul Hewitt.

Kirky

Cheers for the info – are rims like the Mavic MA3’s or Open Pro’s worth considering?? I can get good prices on those (and also on Ambrosio rims)!! Like I say, a bit new to this tandem game and not sure just how specialist you’re meant to go with the rims for strength etc. I’m going to go for 36 hole ones in a traditional 3-cross design (nice and strong) but am also going to try and keep costs down where possible!!

Riding will pretty much all be on the road, with very little in the way of luggage – just getting out and enjoying ourselves (a bit of touring might come later when my 2 year old gets bigger – so I can build more suitable wheels then if needs be).

Fingers crossed at the end of it I’ll have a very nice tandem (with a few tasty upgrades) for not a lot of money

Thanks for the on-going advice.

KIRKY

bagpusscp

SUNN Rhino .If you are using rim brakes. SJSC.

MrHulot

For the machine I had built up last year I used Mavic A719 rims and 700 x 28c tyres

rdaviesb

Open Pros are probably a bit too narrow. MA3's will be fine though. You can easilt fit 28c or 32c tyres onto them.

acorn_user

If you can get cheap Ambrosio rims, the Keba is roughly the equivalent of Mavic's A319.